Rapid biotransformation of STW 5 constituents by human gut microbiome from IBS- and non-IBS donors.

Unlabelled: STW 5, a blend of nine medicinal plant extracts, exhibits promising efficacy in treating functional gastrointestinal disorders, notably irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Nonetheless, its effects on the gastrointestinal microbiome and the role of microbiota on the conversion of its constituents are still largely unexplored. This study employed an experimental model to investigate STW 5's differential effects on fecal microbial communities and metabolite production in samples from individuals with and without IBS.

A Deep-Learning Error Detection System in Radiation Therapy.

Delivering radiation therapy based on erroneous or corrupted treatment plan data has previously and unfortunately resulted in severe, sometimes grave patient harm. Aiming to prevent such harm and improve safety in radiation therapy treatment, this work introduces a novel, yet intuitive algorithm for strategically structuring the complex and unstructured data typical of modern treatment plans so their treatment sites may automatically be verified with deep-learning architectures. The proposed algorithm utilizes geometric and dose plan parameters to represent each plan's data as a heat map to feed a deep-learning classifier that will predict the plan's treatment site.

[Use of subcutaneous Vedolizumab: A position paper issued by the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Working Group of the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (ÖGGH)].

The humanized monoclonal anti-α4β7-integrin-antibody vedolizumab is one of several biologic therapeutic options in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Within the VISIBLE trial program, a novel subcutaneous application route was evaluated in addition to the already established intravenous form. In this position statement, the working group "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" of the Austrian Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology (OEGGH) summarizes the evidence regarding the subcutaneous application of vedolizumab.

Prediction of Response to Systemic Corticosteroids in Active UC by Microbial Composition-A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Background: Corticosteroids are used for induction of remission in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. However, up to one-third of patients fail to this therapy. We investigated if fecal microbial composition or its metabolic capacity are associated with response to systemic corticosteroids.

An automated treatment plan alert system to safeguard cancer treatments in radiation therapy.

In radiation oncology, the intricate process of delivering radiation to a patient is detailed by the patient's treatment plan, which is data describing the geometry, construction and strength of the radiation machine and the radiation beam it emits. The patient's life depends upon the accuracy of the treatment plan, which is left in the hands of the vendor-specific software automatically generating the plan after an initial patient consultation and planning with a medical professional. However, corrupted and erroneous treatment plan data have previously resulted in severe patient harm when errors go undetected and radiation proceeds.

Treatment persistence of ustekinumab and vedolizumab in IBD patients is independent of prior immunogenicity to anti-TNFs: a retrospective study.

Background And Aims: Immunological treatment failure of anti-TNF therapy negatively influences treatment persistence of a second anti-TNF in IBD patients. So far it is unknown if this effect is also observed for other monoclonal antibodies. We assessed the influence of immunogenicity to anti-TNFs on treatment persistence of subsequent ustekinumab and vedolizumab therapy.

The use of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) in Europe: A Europe-wide survey.

Background: Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an emerging treatment modality, but its current clinical use and organisation are unknown. We aimed to describe the clinical use, conduct, and potential for FMT in Europe.

Methods: We invited all hospital-based FMT centres within the European Council member states to answer a web-based questionnaire covering their clinical activities, organisation, and regulation of FMT in 2019.

Lenvatinib in Patients With Advanced Grade 1/2 Pancreatic and Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumors: Results of the Phase II TALENT Trial (GETNE1509).

Purpose: Approved systemic therapies for advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) have shown limited capacity to reduce tumor burden and no antitumor activity after progression to targeted agents (TAs). We investigated the efficacy and safety of lenvatinib in patients with previously treated advanced GEP-NETs.

Patients And Methods: This was a multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase II trial with two parallel cohorts (ClinicalTrials.

High Prevalence of Ultrasound Verified Enthesitis in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease With or Without Spondylarthritis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is closely associated with spondylarthritis (SpA) and enthesitis, as an important feature of SpA, is a common extraintestinal manifestation of IBD. Enthesitis may be clinically silent in a high proportion of patients with IBD without clinical signs or a diagnosis of SpA. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of ultrasound (US) verified enthesitis in IBD patients with and without SpA, with patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and healthy subjects (HC) serving as controls.

A standardised model for stool banking for faecal microbiota transplantation: a consensus report from a multidisciplinary UEG working group.

Background: Faecal microbiota transplantation is an emerging therapeutic option, particularly for the treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. Stool banks that organise recruitment and screening of faeces donors are being embedded within the regulatory frameworks described in the European Union Tissue and Cells Directive and the technical guide to the quality and safety of tissue and cells for human application, published by the European Council.

Objective: Several European and international consensus statements concerning faecal microbiota transplantation have been issued.

[Neuroendocrine tumors in daily gastroenterology and endoscopy - a practice manual].

Neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract (GI-NET) are rare tumors. Functional tumors with hormonal syndromes (e. g.

Surgery with Radical Intent: Is There an Indication for G3 Neuroendocrine Neoplasms?

Background: While platinum-based chemotherapy represents the standard treatment for advanced grade 3 (G3) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) according to the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society guidelines, the role of radical-intended surgery in these patients, as well as the use of adjuvant chemotherapy, are still controversial. The aim of the present work is to describe, in a retrospective series of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) G3, the overall survival (OS) rate and risk factors for death after radical surgery. Secondary aims are the description of median recurrence-free survival (RFS) and of the role of adjuvant chemotherapy.

International consensus conference on stool banking for faecal microbiota transplantation in clinical practice.

Although faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has a well-established role in the treatment of recurrent infection (CDI), its widespread dissemination is limited by several obstacles, including lack of dedicated centres, difficulties with donor recruitment and complexities related to regulation and safety monitoring. Given the considerable burden of CDI on global healthcare systems, FMT should be widely available to most centres.Stool banks may guarantee reliable, timely and equitable access to FMT for patients and a traceable workflow that ensures safety and quality of procedures.

Localization, ligand environment, bioavailability and toxicity of mercury in Boletus spp. and Scutiger pes-caprae mushrooms.

This study provides information on mercury (Hg) localization, speciation and ligand environment in edible mushrooms: Boletus edulis, B. aereus and Scutiger pes-caprae collected at non-polluted and Hg polluted sites, by LA-ICP-MS, SR-μ-XRF and Hg L-edge XANES and EXAFS. Mushrooms (especially young ones) collected at Hg polluted sites can contain more than 100 μg Hg g of dry mass.

Effects of an oral synbiotic on the gastrointestinal immune system and microbiota in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

Purpose: Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Probiotics and synbiotics have been shown to improve symptoms of IBS, although mechanisms of action are currently not understood.

Methods: We investigated the effects of a 4-week oral synbiotic treatment (OMNi-BiOTiC Stress Repair) in ten IBS-D patients on gastrointestinal mucosal and fecal microbiota, mucosa-associated immune cells, and fecal short-chain fatty acids.

Increased Pancreatic Protease Activity in Response to Antibiotics Impairs Gut Barrier and Triggers Colitis.

Background & Aims: Antibiotic (ABx) therapy is associated with increased risk for Crohn's disease but underlying mechanisms are unknown. We observed high fecal serine protease activity (PA) to be a frequent side effect of ABx therapy. The aim of the present study was to unravel whether this rise in large intestinal PA may promote colitis development via detrimental effects on the large intestinal barrier.

Efficacy and safety of a new low-volume PEG with citrate and simethicone bowel preparation for colonoscopy (Clensia): a multicenter randomized observer-blind clinical trial vs. a low-volume PEG with ascorbic acid (PEG-ASC).

Background And Study Aims: Quality of inspection during colonoscopy is strictly related to the level of cleansing. High-volume (PEG-based) solutions are highly effective and safe, but their high volume affects tolerability and compliance. The aim of this study was to compare a new low-volume PEG with citrate and simethicone solution (PMF 104,Clensia) with a low-volume PEG with ascorbic acid solution (PEG-ASC; Moviprep).

Downgrading of a G3 Neuroendocrine Tumor to a G2 Tumor: Can First-Line Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Change the Tumor Biology?

The antiproliferative treatment options for neuroendocrine tumors (NET)/neuroendocrine carcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract critically depend on the proliferation rate, evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67. According to their grading, tumors are treated with somatostatin analogs, mTOR inhibitors, or cytotoxic substances. This case illustrates downgrading of a primarily highly proliferative NET achieved by a variation of cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, followed by a combination therapy using everolimus together with lanreotide.