Epidemiology of bacterial biofilms on polyps and normal tissues in a screening colonoscopy cohort.

Background: Invasive bacterial biofilms are implicated in colorectal cancer. However, their prevalence on histologically normal tissues and polyps is not well established, and risk factors of biofilms have not been previously investigated. Here we evaluated potential procedural and demographic risk factors associated with biofilm status using a cross-sectional observational cohort.

Adult-Attained Height and Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Cohort Study, Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The influence of anthropometric characteristics on colorectal neoplasia biology is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if adult-attained height is independently associated with the risk of colorectal cancer or adenoma.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception to August 2020 for studies on the association between adult-attained height and colorectal cancer or adenoma.

Self-reported Metabolic Risk Factor Associations with Adenomatous, Sessile Serrated, and Synchronous Adenomatous and Sessile Serrated Polyps.

Studies have found a positive association between metabolic risk factors, such as obesity and diabetes, and adenomatous polyps (AP). However, fewer studies have assessed the association between sessile serrated polyps (SSP) or synchronous diagnosis of APs and SSPs (synch polyps). Study participants ( = 1,370; ages 40-85) undergoing screening colonoscopy were enrolled between August 2016 and February 2020.

Yogurt consumption and colorectal polyps.

Diet modifies the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), and inconclusive evidence suggests that yogurt may protect against CRC. We analysed the data collected from two separate colonoscopy-based case-control studies. The Tennessee Colorectal Polyp Study (TCPS) and Johns Hopkins Biofilm Study included 5446 and 1061 participants, respectively, diagnosed with hyperplastic polyp (HP), sessile serrated polyp, adenomatous polyp (AP) or without any polyps.

Loss of imprinting of insulin growth factor II gene: a potential heritable biomarker for colon neoplasia predisposition.

Background & Aims: Loss of genomic imprinting (LOI) of insulin-like growth factor II gene (IGF2) involves abnormal activation of the normally silent maternally inherited allele. LOI of IGF2 has been associated with personal and family history of colorectal neoplasia (CRN), supporting a role for LOI in colorectal carcinogenesis. Whether LOI of IGF2 is associated with known environmental risk factors for CRN is unknown.

Loss of IGF2 imprinting: a potential marker of colorectal cancer risk.

Loss of imprinting (LOI), an epigenetic alteration affecting the insulin-like growth factor II gene (IGF2), is found in normal colonic mucosa of about 30% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, but it is found in only 10% of healthy individuals. In a pilot study to investigate the utility of LOI as a marker of CRC risk, we evaluated 172 patients at a colonoscopy clinic. The adjusted odds ratio for LOI in lymphocytes was 5.

Acute and late radiotherapy toxicity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of gastrointestinal complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) receiving radiotherapy (RT) and to identify possibly avoidable factors associated with these complications.

Methods And Materials: Twenty-four patients were identified and their records reviewed; all had a history of IBD before receiving RT to fields encompassing some portion of the gastrointestinal tract (Crohn's disease) or to the abdomen or pelvis (ulcerative colitis or IBD not otherwise specified).

Results: Five of 24 patients (21%) experienced Grade > or =3 acute gastrointestinal toxicity; all 5 received concurrent chemotherapy.

Transthoracic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) after esophagectomy and gastric pull-up.

The technique of transthoracic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement is described as an alternative to standard nasogastric tube drainage and inpatient observation for those patients who require gastric decompression after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up. Indications for transthoracic PEG tube insertion are distention and poor emptying of the intrathoracic stomach conduit with or without contained anastomotic leak, especially when it appears as if the problem will be slow to resolve. This technique is not advocated for patients with free anastomotic leaks.

Cost-effectiveness of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy versus cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones.

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy vs. cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones, a model was constructed that projects charges and survival for both treatments. For a 45-year-old woman with one small stone, treatment with extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy rather than cholecystectomy is projected to result in an average gain of only 3 days of life and an average increase in direct medical charges of $1729 over 5 years of follow-up.

Computed tomographic evaluation of gallstone calcification for biliary lithotripsy.

As the Food and Drug Administration trials for biliary lithotripsy in the United States near completion, future criteria for patient eligibility remain to be defined. Gallstone calcification greater than 3-mm partial rim on plain film (KUB) or oral cholecystogram (OCG) has excluded patients thus far, since early results of gallstone clearance (lithotripsy plus chemodissolution) were suboptimal with calcified stones. To evaluate the usefulness of these criteria for gallstone fragmentation, computed tomographic (CT) scans were performed on 20 patients immediately prior to lithotripsy to evaluate gallstone density and 24 hours after lithotripsy to observe the CT appearance of fragmentation.

Diagnosis of Campylobacter pylori gastritis.

Campylobacter pylori is a bacterium that inhabits gastric mucosa. It causes chronic active gastritis and is highly associated with duodenal ulcer. Campylobacter pylori has a urease enzyme (not present in man), which allows diagnosis by a [14C]urea breath test.

Prescription-writing with a PC.

We described the development of an automated system to perform writing of prescriptions and associated advice. A prototype computer program has been in operation in a dermatologist's office for three years. All prescriptions are routinely generated using the system.

Effect of antacid on the bioavailabiity of lithium carbonate.

The effect of an antacid on the bioavailability of lithium carbonate was determined in six healthy men in a crossover study. The volunteers were given single 300-mg doses of lithium carbonate alone and with 30 ml of an antacid containing aluminum and magnesium hydroxides with simethicone. Blood samples were collected at various times for 0-24 hours after each dose.