Role of artificial intelligence in colorectal cancer

The sphere of artificial intelligence(AI)is ever expanding.Applications for clinical practice have been emerging over recent years.Although its uptake has been most prominent in endoscopy,this represents only one aspect of holistic patient care.There are a multitude of other potential avenues in which gastrointestinal care may be involved.We aim to review the role of AI in colorectal cancer as a whole.We performed broad scoping and focused searches of the applications of AI in the field of colorectal cancer.All trials including qualitative research were included from the year 2000 onwards.Studies were grouped into pre-operative,intra-operative and post-operative aspects.Preoperatively,the major use is with endoscopic recognition.Colonoscopy has embraced the use for human derived classifications such as Narrow-band Imaging International Colorectal Endoscopic,Japan Narrow-band Imaging Expert Team,Paris and Kudo.However,novel detection and diagnostic methods have arisen from advances in AI classification.Intra-operatively,adjuncts such as image enhanced identification of structures and assessment of perfusion have led to improvements in clinical outcomes.Post-operatively,monitoring and surveillance have taken strides with potential socioeconomic and environmental savings.The uses of AI within the umbrella of colorectal surgery are multiple.We have identified existing technologies which are already augmenting cancer care.The future applications are exciting and could at least match,if not surpass human standards.

Exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis on period poverty

BACKGROUNDPeriod poverty is a global health and social issue that needs to be addressed.It has been reported that many females compromise their education,employment,and social commitments during their menstruation days due to a number of reasons,including lack of access to toilets or menstrual products.AIM To provide a comprehensive understanding on period poverty,including outcomes associated with menstruation.METHODS All observational and randomised clinical trials reporting menstruation challenges,menstrual poverty and menstrual products were included.Our search strategy included multiple electronic databases of PubMed,Web of Science,ScienceDirect,ProQuest and EMBASE.Studies published in a peer review journal in English between the 30th of April 1980 and the 30th of April 2022 were included.The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias of the systematic included studies.Pooled odds ratios(ORs)together with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)are reported overall and for sub-groups.RESULTS A total of 80 studies were systematically selected,where 38 were included in the meta-analysis.Of the 38 studies,28 focused on children and young girls(i.e.,10-24 years old)and 10 included participants with a wider age range of 15-49 years.The prevalence of using disposable sanitary pads was 45%(95%CI:0.35-0.58).The prevalence of menstrual education pre-menarche was 68%(95%CI:0.56-0.82).The prevalence of good menstrual hygiene management(MHM)was 39%(95%CI:0.25-0.61).Women in rural areas(OR=0.30,95%CI:0.13-0.69)were 0.70 times less likely to have good MHM practices than those living in urban areas.CONCLUSION There was a lack of evidence,especially from low-and middle-income countries.Further research to better understand the scope and prevalence of period poverty should be considered.This will enable the development of improved policies to increase access to menstrual products and medical support where necessary.

Transplantation of primary and reversibly immortalized human liver cells and other gene therapies in acute liver failure and decompensated chronic liver disease

Studies performed in experimental small animalswith hepatic-based metabolic disorders but nostructural liver disease,including Gunn andanalbuminaemic rats and rabbits with inherited low-density lipoprotein receptor deficiency,have shownthat up to 95% of hepatocytes transplanted into thespleen or liver remain in these sites,withimprovement in metabolic function

Diet and functional dyspepsia: Clinical correlates and therapeutic perspectives

Hypervigilance and symptoms anticipation,visceral hypersensitivity and gastroduodenal sensorimotor abnormalities account for the varied clinical presentation of functional dyspepsia(FD)patients.Many patients recognize meals as the main triggering factor;thus,dietary manipulations often represent the first-line management strategy in this cohort of patients.Nonetheless,scarce quality evidence has been produced regarding the relationship between specific foods and/or macronutrients and the onset of FD symptoms,resulting in nonstandardized nutritional approaches.Most dietary advises are indeed empirical and often lead to exclusion diets,reinforcing in patients the perception of“being intolerant”to food and self-perpetuating some of the very mechanisms underlying dyspepsia physiopathology(i.e.,hypervigilance and symptom anticipation).Clinicians are often uncertain regarding the contribution of specific foods to dyspepsia physiopathology and dedicated professionals(i.e.,dietitians)are only available in tertiary referral settings.This in turn,can result in nutritionally unbalanced diets and could even encourage restrictive eating behaviors in severe dyspepsia.In this review,we aim at evaluating the relationship between dietary habits,macronutrients and specific foods in determining FD symptoms.We will provide an overview of the evidence-based nutritional approach that should be pursued in these patients,providing clinicians with a valuable tool in standardizing nutritional advises and discouraging patients from engaging into indiscriminate food exclusions.

Interleukin-6 compared to the other Th17/Treg related cytokines in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND The connection between inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)and colorectal cancer(CRC)is well-established,as persistent intestinal inflammation plays a substantial role in both disorders.Cytokines may further influence the inflammation and the carcinogenesis process.AIM To compare cytokine patterns of active IBD patients with early and advanced CRC.METHODS Choosing a panel of cytokines crucial for Th17/Treg differentiation and behavior,in colon specimens,as mRNA biomarkers,and their serum protein levels.RESULTS We found a significant difference between higher gene expression of FoxP3,TGFb1,IL-10,and IL-23,and approximately equal level of IL-6 in CRC patients in comparison with IBD patients.After stratification of CRC patients,we found a significant difference in FoxP3,IL-10,IL-23,and IL-17A mRNA in early cases compared to IBD,and IL-23 alone in advanced CRC.The protein levels of the cytokines were significantly higher in CRC patients compared to IBD patients.CONCLUSION Our findings showed that IL-6 upregulation is essential for both IBD and CRC development until the upregulation of other Th17/Treg related genes(TGFb1,IL-10,IL-23,and transcription factor FoxP3)is a crucial primarily for CRC development.The significantly upregulated IL-6 could be a potential drug target for IBD and prevention of CRC development as well.

Evolution of transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer:From top to bottom

The gold standard for curative treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer involves radical resection with a total mesorectal excision(TME). TME is the most effective treatment strategy to reduce local recurrence and improve survival outcomes regardless of the surgical platform used. However, there are associated morbidities, functional consequences, and quality of life(QoL) issues associated with TME; these risks must be considered during the modern-day multidisciplinary treatment for rectal cancer. This has led to the development of new surgical techniques to improve patient, oncologic, and QoL outcomes. In this work, we review the evolution of TME to the transanal total mesorectal excision(TaTME) through more traditional minimally invasive platforms. The review the development, safety and feasibility, proposed benefits and risks of the procedure, implementation and education models, and future direction for research and implementation of the TaTME in colorectal surgery. While satisfactory short-term results have been reported, the procedure is in its infancy, and long term outcomes and definitive results from controlled trials are pending.As evidence for safety and feasibility accumulates,structured training programs to standardize teaching,training, and safe expansion will aid the safe spread of the TaTME.

Predicting lower limb periprosthetic joint infections: A review of risk factors and their classification

AIM To undertook a systematic review to determine factors that increase a patient's risk of developing lower limb periprosthetic joint infections(PJI).METHODS This systematic review included full-text studies that reviewed risk factors of developing either a hip or knee PJI following a primary arthroplasty published from January 1998 to November 2016. A variety of keywords were used to identify studies through international databases referencing hip arthroplasty, knee arthroplasty, infection, and risk factors. Studies were only included if they included greater than 20 patients in their study cohort, and there was clear documentation of the statistical parameter used; specifically P-value, hazard ratio, relative risk, or/and odds ratio(OR). Furthermore a quality assessment criteria for the individual studies was undertaken to evaluate the presence of record and reporting bias. RESULTS Twenty-seven original studies reviewing risk factors relating to primary total hip and knee arthroplasty infections were included. Four studies(14.8%) reviewed PJI of the hip, 3(11.21%) of the knee, and 20(74.1%) reviewed both joints. Nineteen studies(70.4%) were retrospective and 8(29.6%) prospective. Record bias was identified in the majority of studies(66.7%). The definition of PJI varied amongst the studies but there was a general consensus to define infection by previously validated methods. The most significant risks were the use of preoperative high dose steroids(OR = 21.0, 95%CI: 3.5-127.2, P < 0.001), a BMI above 50(OR = 18.3, P < 0.001), tobacco use(OR = 12.76, 95%CI: 2.47-66.16, P= 0.017), body mass index below 20(OR = 6.00, 95%CI: 1.2-30.9, P = 0.033), diabetes(OR = 5.47, 95%CI: 1.77-16.97, P = 0.003), and coronary artery disease(OR = 5.10, 95%CI: 1.3-19.8, P = 0.017).CONCLUSION We have highlighted the need for the provider to optimise modifiable risk factors, and develop strategies to limit the impact of non-modifiable factors.

Cardiovascular co-morbidity in chronic kidney disease:Current knowledge and future research needs

Chronic kidney disease(CKD) is recognised as a health concern globally and leads to high rates of morbidity,mortality and healthcare expenditure.CKD is itself an independent risk factor for unfavorable health outcomes that include cardiovascular disease(CVD).Coronary artery disease is the primary type of CVD in CKD patients and a significant cause of death among renal transplant patients.Traditional and non-traditional risk factors for CVD exist in patients with CKD.Traditional factors include smoking,hypertension,dyslipidemia and diabetes which are highly prevalent in CKD patients.Non-traditional risk factors of CKD are mainly uraemiaspecific and increase in prevalence as kidney function declines.Some examples of uraemia-specific risk factors that have been well documented include low levels of haemoglobin,albuminuria,and abnormal bone and mineral metabolism.Therapeutic interventions targeted at more traditional risk factors which contribute to CVD,have not had the desired effect on lowering CVD events and mortality in those suffering with CKD.Future research is warranted to delineate clear evidence to the benefit of modifying non-traditional risk factors.

Randomised controlled trial of triclosan coated vs uncoated sutures in primary hip and knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Triclosan-coated vicryl plus suture(Ethicon, Inc.) was developed to reduce microbial colonisation during surgical procedures. However, its effect on wound healing and surgical site infections remain unclear after hip and knee arthroplasty surgery.AIM To determine the effect of triclosan-coated sutures(TCS) vs non-coated sutures on wound healing, following primary hip and knee arthroplasties.METHODS A single-centred, double-blind randomised controlled trial(RCT) was undertaken. We randomly allocated patients to receive either the triclosan-coated sutures(TCS vicryl plus) or non-coated sutures(NCS vicryl) during the closure of unilateral primary hip and knee arthroplasties. We utilised the ASEPSIS wound scoring system to evaluate wound healing for the first 6 weeks post-operatively.RESULTS One hundred and fifty patients undergoing primary total hip or knee arthroplasty over a one-year period were included. Eighty-one were randomised to the TCS group and 69 to the NCS group. Despite no statistically significant difference in the ASEPSIS scores among the study groups(P = 0.75), sensitivity analysis using the Mann Whitney test(P = 0.036) as well as assessment of the wound complications at 6 weeks follow up, demonstrated significantly higher wound complication rates in the TCS group(8 vs 1, P = 0.03).CONCLUSION No clear advantage was demonstrated for using the TCS. However, larger multicentred RCTs are required to validate their use in hip and knee arthroplasty surgery.

Healthcare staff well-being and use of support services during COVID-19:a UK perspective

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically increased demands on healthcare workers(HCWs)leaving them vulnerable to acute psychological distress,burnout and post-traumatic stress.In response,supportive services in a central London hospital mobilised mental health support specifically for HCWs.Aims This rapid evaluation assessed HCW psychological welfare during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and their use of supportive services made available.Methods During the acute phase of COVID-19(April to May 2020)all staff working for the hospital were invited to complete an online survey assessing well-being(self-rated health,moral distress exposure,symptoms of burnout and psychological distress)and use of available supportive services(awareness of,use and perceived helpfulness).Associations among personal characteristics and psychological well-being were explored using correlations and linear regression.Results A total of 1127 staff participated in the rapid evaluation.On average,psychological distress was high(mean(SD):22(7.57))regardless of role,with 84%of this sample scoring above the general population mean(14.5).Nearly half of the sample reported feeling emotionally drained and a profile emerged displaying higher levels of psychological distress and burnout in those who were younger and exposed to morally distressing situations,with this group also exhibiting greater support service use.Greater levels of burnout were associated with increased psychological distress when controlling for personal factors.During this acute phase of the pandemic,majority of staff used at least one service and rated it as helpful.Conclusion HCWs experienced high levels of psychological distress requiring continued support as the COVID-19 pandemic evolved.Although HCWs were aware of supportive services,uptake varied.In order to mitigate the risk of burnout and post-traumatic stress,long-term,effective strategies that facilitate staff accessing support are urgently required.

肠壁Crohn病:动态增强MR成像与组织学血管生成、炎症的相关性——初步研究

目的采用动态增强MRI评估Corohn病的肠壁灌注动力学改变，并与炎症、血管生成的组织病理学指标进行相关分析。方法本研究经伦敦大学医院伦理委员会批准．所有参加者均知情同意。2006年7月-2007年12月，连续11例行选择性小肠切除的Crohn病人（女性8例，男性3例：年龄16．4-66．6岁，平均39．5岁）纳入本研究。记录Harvev—Bradshaw指数、C反应蛋白水平和疾病慢性史（chronicity）。术前对拟切除的肠管进行动态增强MRI检查，计算受累肠段的增强斜率、达峰时间、强化率、通透系数、

Indications for the surgical management of pancreatic trauma: An update

Pancreatic trauma is rare compared to other abdominal solid organ injuries,accounting for 0.2%-0.3% of all trauma patients. Moreover, this type of injury may frequently be overlooked or not readily appreciated on initial clinical examinations and investigations. The organ injury scale determines the severity of the trauma. Nonetheless, there are conflicting recommendations for the best strategy in severe cases. Overall, conservative management of induced severe traumatic pancreatitis is adequate. Modern imaging modalities such as ultrasound scanning and computed tomography scanning can detect injuries in fewer than 60% of patients. However, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) have diagnostic accuracies approaching 90%-100%. Thus, management options include ERCP and stent placement or distal pancreatectomy in cases of complete gland transection and wide drainage only for damage control surgery, which can prevent mortality but increases the risk of morbidity. In the majority of cases, surgical intervention is not required and should be reserved for only severe grade Ⅲ to grade Ⅴ injuries.

Long-term results of the surgical treatment of Peyronie＇s disease with Egydio＇s technique： a European multicentre study

The long-term outcomes of 157 patients affected by Peyronie＇s disease （PD） who underwent penile straightening with Egydio＇s technique between January 2004 and December 2008 are reported. Only patients with PD who were stable for at least 6-12 months prior to surgery were enrolled in this study. Preoperative assessment included a dynamic echo colour Doppler ultrasound scan to evaluate the degree of penile deformity and the peak systolic velocity in the cavernosal arteries and an assessment of erectile function with the administration of the International Index of Erectile Function 5 （IIEF-5） questionnaire. Stretched penile length was recorded pre- and postoperatively. Surgical complications, cosmesis and sexual function, patient satisfaction and postoperative erectile function were assessed postoperatively at 3 months, I year and 2 years, respectively. After a median follow-up period of 20 months （range： 12-24 months）, we found that mild residual curvature （12%） and glans hypoesthesia （3%） were the only causes of partial dissatisfaction. No rejection of the graft was observed. All patients recovered their ability to penetrate with no difficulty. In addition, an intraoperative average increase of 2.5 cm （range： 1.7-4.1 cm） in stretched penile length was recorded, with all patients engaging in penetrative sexual intercourse. In conclusion, this procedure represents a safe and reproducible technique for the correction of penile curvature resulting from PD and yields excellent cosmetic and functional results.

Risk of lymph node metastases in patients with T1b oesophageal adenocarcinoma: A retrospective single centre experience

AIM To assess clinical outcomes for submucosal (T1b) oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) patients managed with either surgery or endoscopic eradication therapy.METHODS Patients found to have T1b OAC following endoscopic resection between January 2008 to February 2016 at University College London Hospital were retrospectively analysed. Patients were split into low-risk and high-risk groups according to established histopathological criteria and were then further categorised according to whether they underwent surgical resection or conservative management. Study outcomes include the presence of lymphnode metastases, disease-specific mortality and overall survival. RESULTS A total of 60 patients were included; 22 patients were surgically managed (1 low-risk and 21 high-risk patients) whilst 38 patients were treated conservatively (12 low-risk and 26 high-risk). Overall, lymph node metastases (LNM) were detected in 10 patients (17%); six of these patients had undergone conservative management and LNM were detected at a median of 4 mo after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). All LNM occurred in patients with highrisk lesions and this represented 21% of the total high-risk lesions. Importantly, there was no statistically significant difference in tumor-related deaths between those treated surgically or conservatively (P = 0.636) and disease-specific survival time was also comparable between the two treatment strategies (P = 0.376).CONCLUSION T1b tumours without histopathological high-risk markers of LNM can be treated endoscopically with good outcomes. In selected patients, endoscopic therapy may be appropriate for high-risk lesions.

Actinomycosis of the sigmoid colon:A case report

Abdominal actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative infection caused by Actinomyces species.The ileo-cecal region is most commonly affected,while the left side of the colon is more rarely involved.The infection has a tendency to inf iltrate adjacent tissues and is therefore rarely confined to a single organ.Presentation may vary from non specif ic symptoms and signs to an acute abdomen.A computed tomography scan is helpful in identifying the inflammatory process and the organs involved.It also allows visual guidance for percutaneous drainage of abscesses,thus aiding diagnosis.Culture is difficult because of the anaerobic character and slow growth of actinomycetes.Colonoscopy is usually normal,but may shows signs of external compression.Preoperative diagnosis is rare and is established only in less than 10% of cases.In uncomplicated disease,high dose antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment.Surgery is often performed because of a difficulty in diagnosis.Surgery and antibiotics are required in the case of complicated disease.Combined medical and surgical treatment achieves a cure in about 90% of cases.The authors report a case of sigmoid actinomycosis where diagnosis was made from the histology,and a review of the literature is presented.

High resolution colonoscopy in a bowel cancer screening program improves polyp detection

AIM： To compare high resolution colonoscopy （Olympus Lucera） with a megapixel high resolution system （Pentax HiLine） as an in-service evaluation. METHODS： Polyp detection rates and measures of performance were collected for 269 colonoscopy procedures. Five colonoscopists conducted the study over a three month period, as part of the United Kingdom bowel cancer screening program. RESULTS：There were no differences in procedure duration （x^2 p = 0.98）, caecal intubation rates （x^2 P = 0.67）, or depth of sedation （x^2 P = 0.64）. Mild discomfort was more common in the Pentax group （x^2 p = 0.036）. Adenoma detection rate was significantly higher in the Pentax group （x^2 test for trend P = 0.01）. Most of the extra polyps detected were flat or sessile adenomas. CONCLUSION： Megapixel definition colonoscopes improve adenoma detection without compromising other measures of endoscope performance. Increased polyp detection rates may improve future outcomes in bowel cancer screening programs.

Henoch-Schnlein purpura complicating adalimumab therapy for Crohn's disease

Anti-tumour necrosis factor-α(TNF) therapy has revolutionised the management of chronic inflammatory conditions.With ever increasing numbers of patients being treated with these agents,uncommon adverse reactions will inevitably occur more frequently.Cutaneous manifestations are associated with many of these chronic conditions and can complicate anti-TNF therapy in about 20% of cases.Vasculitic complications are rarely associated with anti-TNF therapy.Henoch-Schnlein purpura(HSP),a small vessel vasculitis,has been described following infliximab and etanercept therapy but never with adalimumab,a fully humanized TNF antibody.The risk of such immune-mediated reactions is theoretically less with adalimumab compared to infliximab but can still occur.Here we report the f irst case in the literature of HSP that can be attributed to the use of adalimumab in a 19-year-old male with recalcitrant Crohn's disease.

Return to sport after lower limb arthroplasty-why not for all?

BACKGROUND Total hip and knee replacements are being performed in increasing numbers in progressively younger patients with higher activity demands. Many such patients have expectations of returning to athletic activity post-operatively yet are not always able to do so and the reasons behind this have not been extensively examined. We hypothesise that any reasons for a failure to return to athletic activity post-operatively are multi-factorial.AIM To quantify the return to athletic activity following lower limb joint arthroplasty and understand qualitative reasons for altered activity participation.METHODS A single centre, single surgeon retrospective questionnaire for hip and knee arthroplasty patients under age 60 years, minimum two years post-surgery with exclusion criteria of multiple degenerative joint involvement and multiple medical co-morbidities. Outcomes were validated joint-specific(Oxford hip and knee) and lifestyle questionnaires [short form 12(SF-12) and University of California, Los Angeles(UCLA)] and an activity questionnaire assessing ability participation in athletic activity post-operatively. Statistical analysis was performed on the validated outcome data, including comparison between hip and knee replacements. Frequency tables were produced to quantify the different athletic activities participated in by patients.RESULTS Responses were received from 64 patients(80% response rate). There was a statistically significant improvement in Oxford hip and knee scores following surgery. SF-12 scores also improved for all patients, but no statistically significant difference was seen between joints(P = 0.88). Mean UCLA scores pre-operatively were 7.67 and at two years post-operatively were 7.69, with no statistically significant change(P = 0.91). All patients reported high satisfaction and improved ability to perform athletic activity at a higher frequency compared to pre-operatively. The most common reasons for changing activity participation were not wanting to stress their joint replacement or instructions by other doctors or the lead surgeon. There was no difference in the responses to the questionnaire based on type of joint replacement(P = 0.995).CONCLUSION Patients receiving a joint replacement are able to participate in athletic activity to high levels and are satisfied with their outcomes. Reasons for non-participation are multi-factorial.

促进机器人辅助前列腺癌根治术术后早期尿控恢复的手术技巧(“大家泌尿网”观看手术视频)

机器人辅助前列腺癌根治术(RARP)目前已经成为局限性有临床意义前列腺癌的根治性治疗的新的金标准。本文介绍了既往研究中通过RAND/UCLA改良法确认和研讨的16项促进RARP术后早期尿控恢复的手术技巧,并对各手术技巧进行了介绍。

Role of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of oesophageal neoplasia:2020 an endoscopic odyssey

The past decade has seen significant advances in endoscopic imaging and optical enhancements to aid early diagnosis.There is still a treatment gap due to the underdiagnosis of lesions of the oesophagus.Computer aided diagnosis may play an important role in the coming years in providing an adjunct to endoscopists in the early detection and diagnosis of early oesophageal cancers,therefore curative endoscopic therapy can be offered.Research in this area of artificial intelligence is expanding and the future looks promising.In this review article we will review current advances in artificial intelligence in the oesophagus and future directions for development.