COLOFIT: Development and Internal-External Validation of Models Using Age, Sex, Faecal Immunochemical and Blood Tests to Optimise Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer in Symptomatic Patients.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United Kingdom and the second largest cause of cancer death.

Aim: To develop and validate a model using available information at the time of faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) in primary care to improve selection of symptomatic patients for CRC investigations.

Methods: We included all adults (≥ 18 years) referred to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust between 2018 and 2022 with symptoms of suspected CRC who had a FIT.

Mode of Action of Psyllium in Reducing Gas Production from Inulin and its Interaction with Colonic Microbiota: A 24-H, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Healthy Human Volunteers.

Background: Recent studies show that the increase in breath hydrogen (BH) and symptoms after ingestion of inulin are reduced by coadministering psyllium (PI).

Objectives: To determine if slowing delivery of inulin to the colon by administering it in divided doses would mimic the effect of PI. Primary endpoint was the BH area under the curve AUC.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reveals Novel Insights into the Dual Mode of Action of Bisacodyl: A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial in Constipation.

Bisacodyl is a widely used laxative that stimulates both motility and secretion. Our aim was to exploit the unique capabilities of MRI to define bisacodyl's mode of action. Two placebo-controlled cross-over trials were performed, one using a single dose of Bisacodyl 5 mg while the second dosed daily for 3 consecutive days.

One Year of Gluten-Free Diet Impacts Gut Function and Microbiome in Celiac Disease.

Background & Aims: Currently, the main treatment for celiac disease (CD) is the gluten-free diet (GFD). This observational cohort study investigated the impact of CD and 1 year of GFD on gut function and microbiome.

Methods: A total of 36 newly diagnosed patients and 36 healthy volunteers (HVs) were studied at baseline and at 12-month follow-up.

Proceedings of the Conference "CMV Vaccine Development-How Close Are We?" (27-28 September 2023).

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common infectious cause of disability in children, including sensorineural hearing loss. There is interest in developing a pre-conception vaccine that could confer protective immunity on a woman of child-bearing age, hence resulting in a reduced cCMV disease burden. Other populations, including solid organ transplant (SOT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients, could also benefit from CMV vaccination.