Intrarectal formalin treatment for haemorrhagic radiation-induced proctopathy: efficacy and safety.

AIM: Pelvic radiotherapy is limited by dose-dependent toxicity to surrounding organs. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intrarectal formalin treatment for radiotherapy-induced haemorrhagic proctopathy (RHP) at the Royal Marsden Hospital. METHOD: Adult patients were enrolled. Haemoglobin was evaluated before and after formalin treatment. Antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation treatment and administration of transfusion were recorded. The interval between completion of radiotherapy and the first intrarectal 5% formalin treatment was assessed and the dose of radiotherapy was evaluated. Clinical assessment of the frequency and amount of rectal bleeding (rectal bleeding score 1-6) and endoscopic appearance (grade 0-3) were classified. Complications were recorded. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were enrolled, comprising 13 men (68%) and 6 women. The mean age was 75 ± 9 years. The median time between completion of radiotherapy and the first treatment was 20 months [interquartile range (IQR) 15 months] and the median dose of radiotherapy was 68 Gy (IQR 14 Gy). Thirty-two procedures were performed (average 1.7 per patient). In total, 9/19 (47%) patients were receiving anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet medication and 5/19 (26%) received transfusion prior to treatment. The mean value of serum haemoglobin before the first treatment was 110 ± 18 g/L and afterwards it was 123 ± 16 g/L (p = 0.022). The median rectal bleeding score before the first treatment was 6 (IQR 0) and afterwards 2 (IQR 1-4; p < 0.001), while the median endoscopy score on the day of first treatment was 3 (IQR 0) compared with 1 (IQR 1-2) on the day of the last treatment 1 (p < 0.001). One female patient with a persistent rectal ulcer that eventually healed (18 months of healing) subsequently developed rectovaginal fistula (complication rate 1/19, 5%). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with intrarectal formalin in RHP is effective and safe.

Is therapeutic lymph node dissection of value for lymph node recurrence in melanoma?

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic lymphadenectomy (TLND) is still performed in most melanoma patients to treat nodal recurrences after initial negative lymph node biopsy (-SLNB), despite the lack of evidence for survival benefit. We sought to compare melanoma-specific survival (MSS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) of patients who underwent TLND versus no TLND using our institutional and MSTL-1 databases. METHODS: We identified 146 patients with nodal recurrence following -SLNB: 132 underwent TLND and 14 did not. DMFS and MSS were evaluated for the cohorts followed by a matched-pair analysis between the cohorts. RESULTS: No difference was observed in five-year DMFS (p â€‹= â€‹0.454) and five-year MSS (p â€‹= â€‹0.945) between the two groups. The matched-pair analysis showed similar results (p â€‹= â€‹0.329 and p â€‹= â€‹0.363 for DMSF and MSS, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: From this limited retrospective study, TLND for nodal recurrence after a -SLNB does not appear to improve DMFS or MSS in melanoma patients compared to no TLND.

Cancer Biology or Ineffective Surveillance? A multicentre retrospective analysis of colitis-associated post-colonoscopy colorectal cancers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with high rates of post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC), but further in-depth qualitative analyses are required to determine whether they result from inadequate surveillance or aggressive IBD cancer evolution. METHODS: All IBD patients who had a colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosed between January 2015 to July 2019 and a recent (<4 years) surveillance colonoscopy at one of four English hospital trusts underwent root cause analyses as recommended by the World Endoscopy Organisation to identify plausible PCCRC causative factors. RESULTS: 61% (n=22/36) of the included IBD CRCs were PCCRCs. They developed in patients with high cancer risk factors (77.8%; n=28/36) requiring annual surveillance, yet 57.1% (n=20/35) had inappropriately delayed surveillance. Most PCCRCs developed in situations where (i) an endoscopically unresectable lesion was detected (40.9%; n=9/22), (ii) there was a deviation from the planned management pathway (40.9%; n=9/22) e.g. service, clinician or patient-related delays in acting on a detected lesion, or (iii) lesions were potentially missed as they were typically located within areas of active inflammation or post-inflammatory change (36.4%; n=8/22). CONCLUSIONS: IBD PCCRC prevention will require more proactive strategies to reduce endoscopic inflammatory burden, improve lesion optical characterisation, adherence to recommended surveillance intervals and patient acceptance of prophylactic colectomy. However, the significant proportion appearing to originate from non-adenomatous-looking mucosa which fail to yield neoplasia on biopsy yet display aggressive cancer evolution highlight the limitations of current surveillance. Emerging molecular biomarkers may play a role in enhancing cancer risk stratification in future clinical practice.

"You're just on your own": Exploring bowel symptom management needs after rectal cancer surgery through patient and clinician focus groups.

PURPOSE: Currently cancer survivorship often leaves the needs of patients unidentified and unmet. The study aims to establish the views of experts on managing bowel symptoms following rectal cancer surgery. METHOD: People living with bowel symptoms as well as clinicians with expertise in rectal cancer and subsequent bowel changes were invited to participate in online focus groups. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a modified framework analysis. Results were presented narratively with interpretations and quotations. RESULTS: Fourteen patients following rectal cancer treatment attended one of two focus groups. Sixteen clinicians attended one of four groups. Participants described their opinions about bowel symptom management. Three themes were described by both patients and clinicians: expectations of bodily changes, supported self-repair and knowledgeable self-repair. Data from participants frequently concurred; all recognised clinicians needed to support and empower patients to independently manage their cancer consequences. CONCLUSION: Well-managed expectations enable patients to set realistic goals and make plans. Clinicians need to support patients to understand potential bowel changes that might occur after rectal cancer surgery, providing support, information and signposting to other relevant information and colleagues. Effective communication through avoidance of jargon and rapport building as well as providing a point of contact help prevent patients feeling alone with their symptoms. Education is needed by both clinicians and patients to ensure consistent and useful advice is provided and understood. A recommendation from the focus groups is to create opportunities for patients to access information with clinician support and signposting.

DECIDE: Delphi Expert Consensus Statement on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Dysplasia Shared Management Decision-Making.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease colitis-associated dysplasia is managed with either enhanced surveillance and endoscopic resection or prophylactic surgery. The rate of progression to cancer after a dysplasia diagnosis remains uncertain in many cases and patients have high thresholds for accepting proctocolectomy. Individualised discussion of management options is encouraged to take place between patients and their multidisciplinary teams for best outcomes. We aimed to develop a toolkit to support a structured, multidisciplinary and shared decision-making approach to discussions about dysplasia management options between clinicians and their patients. METHODS: Evidence from systematic literature reviews, mixed-methods studies conducted with key stakeholders, and decision-making expert recommendations were consolidated to draft consensus statements by the DECIDE steering group. These were then subjected to an international, multidisciplinary modified electronic Delphi process until an a priori threshold of 80% agreement was achieved to establish consensus for each statement. RESULTS: In all, 31 members [15 gastroenterologists, 14 colorectal surgeons and two nurse specialists] from nine countries formed the Delphi panel. We present the 18 consensus statements generated after two iterative rounds of anonymous voting. CONCLUSIONS: By consolidating evidence for best practice using literature review and key stakeholder and decision-making expert consultation, we have developed international consensus recommendations to support health care professionals counselling patients on the management of high cancer risk colitis-associated dysplasia. The final toolkit includes clinician and patient decision aids to facilitate shared decision-making.

'He's a surgeon, like I'm not going to waste his time': interviews to determine healthcare needs of people with low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the views of people on their healthcare needs when managing their bowel symptoms following an anterior resection. METHOD: One-to-one, semi-structured interviews were undertaken, after consent and completion of three questionnaires. Results were analysed using a modified framework analysis and presented narratively. RESULTS: Twenty three participants aged 38-75 years were interviewed; 10 were men. Most had low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores indicating 'major LARS', Bowel Function Index scores ranged from 28 to 65. The two most bothersome symptoms were faecal incontinence and unpredictable bowel function. Data were grouped into three broad themes: 'treatment consequences', 'strategies and compromises' and 'healthcare needs.' Each theme had four subthemes, such as 'bowel dysfunction' in the theme 'treatment consequences'. Bowel symptoms were common and persistent. Symptom management often required multiple interventions. Expressed healthcare needs included managing expectations through clinician-led information. Participants needed knowledgeable clinicians to enquire about and assess symptoms, provide and reiterate information as well as making an onward referral to enable symptom management. Peers improved the adaptation process through support and advice. Our findings indicate that participants' needs are not being fully met. CONCLUSION: People with LARS have unmet healthcare requirements needed to meet their individual goals. We propose these are addressed by using the acronym 'LARS': a Learned clinician who Asks and assesses bowel symptoms, Revisiting the topic to address new or persisting symptoms as well as Signposting, advising or referring onwards as needed.

Evaluation of a real-time computer-aided polyp detection system during screening colonoscopy: AI-DETECT study.

BACKGROUND: Polyp detection and resection during colonoscopy significantly reduce long-term colorectal cancer risk. Computer-aided detection (CADe) may increase polyp identification but has undergone limited clinical evaluation. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of CADe at colonoscopy within a bowel cancer screening program (BCSP). METHODS: This prospective, randomized controlled trial involved all eight screening-accredited colonoscopists at an English National Health Service (NHS) BCSP center (February 2020 to December 2021). Patients were randomized to CADe or standard colonoscopy. Patients meeting NHS criteria for bowel cancer screening were included. The primary outcome of interest was polyp detection rate (PDR). RESULTS: 658 patients were invited and 44 were excluded. A total of 614 patients were randomized to CADe (n = 308) or standard colonoscopy (n = 306); 35 cases were excluded from the per-protocol analysis due to poor bowel preparation (n = 10), an incomplete procedure (n = 24), or a data issue (n = 1). Endocuff Vision was frequently used and evenly distributed (71.7 % CADe and 69.2 % standard). On intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, there was a borderline significant difference in PDR (85.7 % vs. 79.7 %; P = 0.05) but no significant difference in adenoma detection rate (ADR; 71.4 % vs. 65.0 %; P = 0.09) for CADe vs. standard groups, respectively. On per-protocol analysis, no significant difference was observed in these rates. There was no significant difference in procedure times. CONCLUSIONS: In high-performing colonoscopists in a BCSP who routinely used Endocuff Vision, CADe improved PDR but not ADR. CADe appeared to have limited benefit in a BCSP setting where procedures are performed by experienced colonoscopists.

NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic-derived high-confidence optical diagnosis of small polyps compared with histology: understanding errors to improve diagnostic accuracy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Developments in image-enhancing endoscopy and polyp classification systems have led to a number of gastroenterology societies endorsing an optical diagnosis (OD) approach for small polyps at colonoscopy. In this study we performed a root-cause analysis of ODs to determine the most likely causes of OD error. METHODS: As part of a prospective feasibility study, DISCARD3 (Detect InSpect ChAracterise Resect and Discard 3), evaluating implementation and quality assurance of a "resect and discard" strategy for consecutive small polyps <10 mm, a root-cause analysis of 184 cases of high-confidence OD error was performed. In all cases, histopathology underwent a second blinded review and, where discrepancy persisted, further review with deeper levels. RESULTS: After a root-cause analysis, 133 of 184 true OD errors were identified and classified into 4 types: A (OD, adenoma; histology, serrated), 45/133 (33.8%); B (OD, serrated; histology, adenoma), 55/133 (41.4%); C (OD, adenoma; histology, normal), 19/133 (14.3%); and D (OD, serrated; histology, normal), 14/133 (10.5%). The remaining 51 of 184 errors were because of a pathology error requiring deeper levels (43/184), pathology observer or laboratory error (7/184), or other error (1/184). CONCLUSIONS: OD errors can be related to endoscopist-related factors such as poor photodocumentation, failures of current classification systems, and incomplete histology. We identified a subset of serrated polyps frequently misdiagnosed as adenomas ("pseudoadenomas") using the NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic (NICE) classification. An enhanced algorithm for OD is proposed based on the NICE classification including morphologic and adjunct polyp features.

Factors associated with caregivers' contribution to self-care in heart failure. / Fatores associados à contribuição dos cuidadores para o autocuidado na insuficiência cardíaca.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the caregiver's contribution to self-care in heart failure and the predictor variables of this contribution. METHOD: a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study, with the participation of 140 dyads (patients and caregivers). The contribution to self-care was assessed using the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Caregivers and patients were interviewed separately to obtain the data. Multiple linear regressions were used to verify predictor variables of caregiver contribution. RESULTS: the mean score for contribution to maintenance self-care was 62.7 (SD=7.1), for management, 62.9 (SD=20.4) and for confidence was 63.3 (SD=22.1). The variables number of patient's medications, caregiver being related to the patient, social perception of caregiver, health-related quality of life of the patient and caregiver's confidence in contributing to self-care were predictors of caregiver's contribution to maintenance or management self-care. CONCLUSION: the caregiver's contribution was insufficient. The social support perceived by the caregiver, the type of relationship the caregiver to the patient, the number of medications used by the patient, as well as the caregiver's confidence in contributing to self-care are variables that should be considered to assess the risk of insufficient contribution of the caregiver.

Implementation of optical diagnosis with a "resect and discard" strategy in clinical practice: DISCARD3 study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Optical diagnosis (OD) of polyps can be performed with advanced endoscopic imaging. For high-confidence diagnoses, a "resect and discard" strategy could offer significant histopathology time and cost savings. The implementation threshold is a ≥90% OD-histology surveillance interval concordance. Here we assessed the OD learning curve and feasibility of a resect and discard strategy for ≤5-mm and <10-mm polyps in a bowel cancer screening setting. METHODS: In this prospective feasibility study, 8 bowel cancer screening endoscopists completed a validated OD training module and performed procedures. All <10-mm consecutive polyps had white-light and narrow-band images taken and were given high- or low-confidence diagnoses until 120 high-confidence ≤5-mm polyp diagnoses had been performed. All polyps had standard histology. High-confidence OD errors underwent root-cause analysis. Histology and OD-derived surveillance intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Of 565 invited patients, 525 patients were included. A total of 1560 <10-mm polyps underwent OD and were resected and retrieved (1329 ≤5 mm and 231 6-9 mm). There were no <10-mm polyp cancers. High-confidence OD was accurate in 81.5% of ≤5-mm and 92.8% of 6-9-mm polyps. Sensitivity for OD of a ≤5-mm adenoma was 93.0% with a positive predictive value of 90.8%. OD-histology surveillance interval concordance for ≤5-mm OD was 91.3% (209/229) for U.S. Multi-Society Task Force, 98.3% (225/229) for European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and 98.7% (226/229) for British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A resect and discard strategy for high-confidence ≤5-mm polyp OD in a group of bowel cancer screening colonoscopists is feasible and safe, with performance exceeding the 90% surveillance interval concordance required for implementation in clinical practice. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04710693.).

Does Residual Invasive Disease in Wide Local Excision after Diagnosis with Partial Biopsy Technique Influence Survival in Melanoma? Matched-Pair Analysis of Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial I and II.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend excisional/complete biopsy for melanoma diagnosis, owing to high rates of residual disease found at wide local excision (WLE) after partial biopsy techniques. We sought to determine any survival disadvantage associated with the presence of residual invasive melanoma in the WLE after diagnosis with a partial biopsy technique. STUDY DESIGN: Data were examined from Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trials I and II (MSLT-I and -II), 2 large melanoma trials. Patients diagnosed with excisional/complete biopsy were excluded. Clinicopathologic characteristics, melanoma-specific survival (MSS), distant disease-free survival (DDFS), and disease-free survival (DFS) of those with residual invasive melanoma in the definitive WLE and those with no residual melanoma were compared. Matched pairing was used to reduce variability between groups. RESULTS: From 1994 through 2014, 3,939 patients were enrolled in these trials and 874 (22%) were diagnosed using partial biopsy techniques. Of these, 399 (46%) had residual tumor in the WLE. Only 6 patients had residual tumor in their WLE resulting in T-upstaging of their tumor. Match-pairing formed two cohorts (1:1) of patients with and without residual invasive tumor after WLE. A total of 514 patients were paired; 288 (56%) males, 148 (28.8%) aged 60 or older, 192 (37.4%) with truncal melanomas, 214 (41.6%) had Breslow thickness 2 mm or greater, and 376 (73.2%) had positive sentinel nodes. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no statistical difference in 10-year MSS (73.6% ± 3.3% vs 73.9% ± 3.7%, p = 0.891), DDFS (68.7% ± 3.4% vs 65.3% ± 4.0%, p = 0.548), or DFS (59.6% ± 3.7% vs 59.4% ± 3.9%, p = 0.783). CONCLUSIONS: Survival in patients with primary melanoma does not appear to be worse in patients who undergo a partial biopsy technique and are later found to have residual invasive tumor in the WLE specimen.

Relative Populations and IR Spectra of Cu38 Cluster at Finite Temperature Based on DFT and Statistical Thermodynamics Calculations.

The relative populations of Cu38 isomers depend to a great extent on the temperature. Density functional theory and nanothermodynamics can be combined to compute the geometrical optimization of isomers and their spectroscopic properties in an approximate manner. In this article, we investigate entropy-driven isomer distributions of Cu38 clusters and the effect of temperature on their IR spectra. An extensive, systematic global search is performed on the potential and free energy surfaces of Cu38 using a two-stage strategy to identify the lowest-energy structure and its low-energy neighbors. The effects of temperature on the populations and IR spectra are considered via Boltzmann factors. The computed IR spectrum of each isomer is multiplied by its corresponding Boltzmann weight at finite temperature. Then, they are summed together to produce a final temperature-dependent, Boltzmann-weighted spectrum. Our results show that the disordered structure dominates at high temperatures and the overall Boltzmann-weighted spectrum is composed of a mixture of spectra from several individual isomers.

Perception of Cancer Risk and Management Practice for Colitis-associated Dysplasia Is Influenced by Colonoscopy Experience and Workplace Affiliation: Results of an International Clinician Survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A successful colitis cancer surveillance programme requires effective action to be taken when dysplasia is detected. This is the first international cross-sectional study to evaluate clinician understanding of dysplasia-cancer risk and management practice since the most recent international guidelines were introduced in 2015. METHODS: A 15-item international online survey was disseminated to gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons. RESULTS: A total of 294 clinicians [93.5% gastroenterologists] from 60 countries responded; 23% did not have access to high-definition chromoendoscopy. University hospitals were more likely than non-academic workplaces to provide second expert histopathologist review [67% vs 46%; p = 0.002] and formal multidisciplinary team meeting discussion [73% vs 52%; p = 0.001] of dysplasia cases. Perceptions of 5-year cancer risk associated with endoscopically unresectable low-grade dysplasia varied between 0% and 100%. Non-academic hospital affiliation was predictive of lower perceived cancer risks. Although most [98.4%] respondents advised a colectomy for endoscopically unresectable visible high-grade dysplasia, only 34.4% advised a colectomy for unresectable visible low-grade dysplasia. Respondents from university hospitals were more likely to consider colectomy for multifocal low-grade dysplasia (odds ratio [OR] 2.17). If invisible unifocal low-grade dysplasia was detected, continued surveillance over colectomy was the preferred management among clinicians working mainly in private clinics [OR 9.4] and least preferred in those who had performed more than 50 surveillance colonoscopies [OR 0.41]. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians with less surveillance colonoscopy experience and from non-academic centres appear to have lower cancer risk perceptions and are less likely to advocate colectomy for higher-risk low-grade dysplasia. Further education may align current management practice with clinical guidelines.

Multicentre derivation and validation of a colitis-associated colorectal cancer risk prediction web tool.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosed with low-grade dysplasia (LGD) have increased risk of developing advanced neoplasia (AN: high-grade dysplasia or colorectal cancer). We aimed to develop and validate a predictor of AN risk in patients with UC with LGD and create a visual web tool to effectively communicate the risk. DESIGN: In our retrospective multicentre validated cohort study, adult patients with UC with an index diagnosis of LGD, identified from four UK centres between 2001 and 2019, were followed until progression to AN. In the discovery cohort (n=246), a multivariate risk prediction model was derived from clinicopathological features using Cox regression. Validation used data from three external centres (n=198). The validated model was embedded in a web tool to calculate patient-specific risk. RESULTS: Four clinicopathological variables were significantly associated with AN progression in the discovery cohort: endoscopically visible LGD >1 cm (HR 2.7; 95% CI 1.2 to 5.9), unresectable or incomplete endoscopic resection (HR 3.4; 95% CI 1.6 to 7.4), moderate/severe histological inflammation within 5 years of LGD diagnosis (HR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5 to 6.7) and multifocality (HR 2.9; 95% CI 1.3 to 6.2). In the validation cohort, this four-variable model accurately predicted future AN cases with overall calibration Observed/Expected=1.01 (95% CI 0.64 to 1.52), and achieved 100% specificity for the lowest risk group over 13 years of available follow-up. CONCLUSION: Multicohort validation confirms that patients with large, unresected, multifocal LGD and recent moderate/severe inflammation are at highest risk of developing AN. Personalised risk prediction provided via the Ulcerative Colitis-Cancer Risk Estimator ( www.UC-CaRE.uk ) can support treatment decision-making.

Factors associated with caregivers' contribution to self-care in heart failure / Fatores associados à contribuição dos cuidadores para o autocuidado na insuficiência cardíaca / Factores asociados a la contribución de los cuidadores para el autocuidado de la insuficiencia cardiaca

OBJETIVO: analisar a contribuição do cuidador para o autocuidado na insuficiência cardíaca e variáveis preditoras desta contribuição. MÉTODO: estudo transversal descritivo e analítico, com a participação de 140 díades (pacientes e cuidadores). A contribuição para o autocuidado foi avaliada por meio do Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Cuidadores e pacientes foram entrevistados separadamente para obtenção dos dados. A regressão linear múltipla foi utilizada para verificar variáveis preditoras da contribuição do cuidador. RESULTADOS: a pontuação média de contribuição para o autocuidado de manutenção foi 62,7 (DP=7,1), de manejo, 62,9 (DP=20,4) e na confiança foi 63,3 (DP=22,1). A variáveis número de medicamentos do paciente, cuidador ter parentesco com o paciente, percepção social do cuidador, qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde do paciente e a confiança do cuidador na contribuição para o autocuidado foram preditoras da contribuição do cuidador para o autocuidado de manutenção ou de manejo. CONCLUSÃO: a contribuição do cuidador foi insuficiente. O apoio social percebido pelo cuidador, cuidador ter ou não parentesco com o paciente, número de medicamentos utilizados pelo paciente, bem como a confiança do cuidador em contribuir para o autocuidado são variáveis que devem ser consideradas para avaliar o risco de contribuição insuficiente do cuidador.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the caregiver's contribution to self-care in heart failure and the predictor variables of this contribution. METHOD: a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study, with the participation of 140 dyads (patients and caregivers). The contribution to self-care was assessed using the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Caregivers and patients were interviewed separately to obtain the data. Multiple linear regressions were used to verify predictor variables of caregiver contribution. RESULTS: the mean score for contribution to maintenance self-care was 62.7 (SD=7.1), for management, 62.9 (SD=20.4) and for confidence was 63.3 (SD=22.1). The variables number of patient's medications, caregiver being related to the patient, social perception of caregiver, health related quality of life of the patient and caregiver's confidence in contributing to self-care were predictors of caregiver's contribution to maintenance or management self-care. CONCLUSION: the caregiver's contribution was insufficient. The social support perceived by the caregiver, the type of relationship the caregiver to the patient, the number of medications used by the patient, as well as the caregiver's confidence in contributing to self-care are variables that should be considered to assess the risk of insufficient contribution of the caregiver.

OBJETIVO: analizar la contribución del cuidador para el autocuidado en la insuficiencia cardiaca y las variables predictoras de esa contribución. MÉTODO: estudio transversal descriptivo y analítico, con la participación de 140 díadas (pacientes y cuidadores). La contribución para el autocuidado fue evaluada por medio del Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Los cuidadores y pacientes fueron entrevistados separadamente para obtención de los datos. La regresión linear múltiple fue utilizada para verificar variables predictoras de la contribución del cuidador. RESULTADOS: la puntuación média de contribución para el autocuidado de manutención fue 62,7 (DE=7,1), de administración fue 62,9 (DE=20,4) y de confianza fue 63,3 (DE=22,1). Las variables: número de medicamentos del paciente, cuidador tener parentesco con el paciente, percepción social del cuidador, calidad de vida relacionada a la salud del paciente y la confianza del cuidador en la contribución para el autocuidado, fueron predictoras de la contribución del cuidador para el autocuidado de manutención o de administración. CONCLUSIÓN: la contribución del cuidador fue insuficiente. El apoyo social percibido por el cuidador, el cuidador tener o no parentesco con el paciente, el número de medicamentos utilizados por el paciente y la confianza del cuidador en contribuir para el autocuidado, son variables que deben ser consideradas para evaluar el riesgo de contribución insuficiente del cuidador.

Bile Acid Malabsorption as a Consequence of Cancer Treatment: Prevalence and Management in the National Leading Centre.

The aim was to establish prevalence of bile acid malabsorption (BAM) and management in patients who underwent treatment for malignancy. Retrospective evaluation of data in patients seen within six months (August 2019-January 2020) was carried out. Demographic, nuclear medicine (Selenium Homocholic Acid Taurine (SeHCAT) scan result), clinical (previous malignancy, type of intervention (medication, diet), response to intervention) and laboratory (vitamin D, vitamin B12 serum levels) data were searched. In total, 265 consecutive patients were reviewed. Out of those, 87/265 (33%) patients (57 females, 66%) were diagnosed with BAM. Mean age was 59 +/- 12 years. The largest group were females with gynaecological cancer (35), followed by haematology group (15), colorectal/anal (13), prostate (9), upper gastrointestinal cancer (6), another previous malignancy (9). Severe BAM was most common in haematology (10/15; 67%) and gynaecological group (21/35; 60%). Medication and low-fat diet were commenced in 65/87 (75%), medication in 10/87 (11%), diet in 6/87 (7%). Colesevelam was used in 71/75 (95%). Symptoms improved in 74/87 (85%) patients. Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency was diagnosed in 62/87 (71%), vitamin B12 deficiency in 39/87 (45%). BAM is a common condition in this cohort however treatments are highly effective.

Distal feeding-bowel stimulation to treat short-term or long-term pathology: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Distal feeding (DF) describes the insertion of a feeding tube into a fistula or stoma to administer a liquid feed into the distal bowel. It is currently used clinically in patients who are unable to absorb enough nutrition orally. This systematic review investigates DF as a therapeutic measure across a spectrum of patients with stomas and fistulae. METHODS: A total of 2825 abstracts and 44 full-text articles were screened via OVID. Fifteen papers were included for analysis. Randomised controlled trials, cohort and observational studies investigating DF as a therapeutic measure were included. RESULTS: Three feeds were used across the studies-reinfusion of effluent, infusion of prebiotic or a mixture. The studies varied the length of feeding between 24 hours and 61 days, and the mode of feeding, bolus or continuous varied.DF was demonstrated to effectively wean patients from parenteral nutrition in two papers. Two papers demonstrated a significant reduction in stoma output. Three papers demonstrated improved postoperative complication rates with distal feeding regimens, including ileus (2.85% vs 20% in unfed population, p=0.024). One paper demonstrated a reduction in postoperative stool frequency. CONCLUSIONS: This review was limited by study heterogeneity and the lack of trial data, and in the patient groups involved, the variability in diet and length of regimen. These studies suggest that DF can significantly reduce stoma output and improve renal and liver function; however, the mechanism is not clear. Further mechanistic work on the immunological and microbiological action of DF would be important.

Theoretical Prediction of Structures, Vibrational Circular Dichroism, and Infrared Spectra of Chiral Be4B8 Cluster at Different Temperatures.

Lowest-energy structures, the distribution of isomers, and their molecular properties depend significantly on geometry and temperature. Total energy computations using DFT methodology are typically carried out at a temperature of zero K; thereby, entropic contributions to the total energy are neglected, even though functional materials work at finite temperatures. In the present study, the probability of the occurrence of one particular Be4B8 isomer at temperature T is estimated by employing Gibbs free energy computed within the framework of quantum statistical mechanics and nanothermodynamics. To identify a list of all possible low-energy chiral and achiral structures, an exhaustive and efficient exploration of the potential/free energy surfaces is carried out using a multi-level multistep global genetic algorithm search coupled with DFT. In addition, we discuss the energetic ordering of structures computed at the DFT level against single-point energy calculations at the CCSD(T) level of theory. The total VCD/IR spectra as a function of temperature are computed using each isomer's probability of occurrence in a Boltzmann-weighted superposition of each isomer's spectrum. Additionally, we present chemical bonding analysis using the adaptive natural density partitioning method in the chiral putative global minimum. The transition state structures and the enantiomer-enantiomer and enantiomer-achiral activation energies as a function of temperature evidence that a change from an endergonic to an exergonic type of reaction occurs at a temperature of 739 K.

The Aging Vasculature: Glucose Tolerance, Hypoglycemia and the Role of the Serum Response Factor.

The fastest growing demographic in the U.S. at the present time is those aged 65 years and older. Accompanying advancing age are a myriad of physiological changes in which reserve capacity is diminished and homeostatic control attenuates. One facet of homeostatic control lost with advancing age is glucose tolerance. Nowhere is this more accentuated than in the high proportion of older Americans who are diabetic. Coupled with advancing age, diabetes predisposes affected subjects to the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In the treatment of type 2 diabetes, hypoglycemic episodes are a frequent clinical manifestation, which often result in more severe pathological outcomes compared to those observed in cases of insulin resistance, including premature appearance of biomarkers of senescence. Unfortunately, molecular mechanisms of hypoglycemia remain unclear and the subject of much debate. In this review, the molecular basis of the aging vasculature (endothelium) and how glycemic flux drives the appearance of cardiovascular lesions and injury are discussed. Further, we review the potential role of the serum response factor (SRF) in driving glycemic flux-related cellular signaling through its association with various proteins.

Managing Bowel Symptoms After Sphincter-Saving Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Scoping Review.

CONTEXT: Rectal cancer is common and it is often treated by surgery with or without chemoradiation. Cancer treatment frequently results in bowel symptoms. OBJECTIVES: The review aim was to chart the management options for bowel symptoms following rectal cancer surgery. METHODS: A scoping review was undertaken searching nine healthcare databases, using relevant search terms and Boolean operators following PRISMA-ScR guidance. Data were extracted into an Excel spreadsheet using headings from the United Kingdom Department of Health guidance and are reported narratively. RESULTS: 30 heterogeneous studies met the inclusion criteria, including 853 patients. The most commonly reported bowel symptom was fecal incontinence; the most frequent management strategy was sacral nerve stimulation. Most studies reported on a single management option, often used to manage more than one bowel symptom. Often failure to satisfactorily improve symptoms using options such as medication was needed prior to progressing to other management options. In some studies more than one management option was used, such as rehabilitation programmes. CONCLUSION: It is likely that to effectively manage the bowel symptoms experienced after rectal cancer treatment, more than one management option may be used-. Additionally, different management options may need to be tried concurrently.