Quantum simulation of thermodynamics in an integrated quantum photonic processor.

One of the core questions of quantum physics is how to reconcile the unitary evolution of quantum states, which is information-preserving and time-reversible, with evolution following the second law of thermodynamics, which, in general, is neither. The resolution to this paradox is to recognize that global unitary evolution of a multi-partite quantum state causes the state of local subsystems to evolve towards maximum-entropy states. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate this effect in linear quantum optics by simultaneously showing the convergence of local quantum states to a generalized Gibbs ensemble constituting a maximum-entropy state under precisely controlled conditions, while introducing an efficient certification method to demonstrate that the state retains global purity.

Clinical characteristics of phenotypes of fecal incontinence.

Purpose: Fecal incontinence (FI) is common, but its etiology is complex with large knowledge gaps. Several phenotypes of FI are known, but the phenotype is often not decisive in the chosen therapy. In this study we aimed to assess the association of the clinical characteristics of patients with FI and the various phenotypes, in order to establish a targeted clinical treatment decision tree.

Fecal Incontinence: The Importance of a Structured Pathophysiological Model.

Fecal incontinence has an enormous social and economic impact and may significantly impair quality of life. Even though fecal incontinence is a common complaint in (aging) adults, a structured pathophysiological model of the clinical presentations of fecal incontinence is missing in current literature. The most frequent manifestations of fecal incontinence are passive fecal loss, urge incontinence, or mixed fecal incontinence.

Laparoscopic Lavage in Complicated Diverticulitis with Colonic Perforation, Always Be Closing?

Laparoscopic lavage is seen as an acceptable alternative to colonic resection in selected patients with acute diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis. There is no consensus on what surgical technique should be used when performing this procedure. This case series describes the disease course of 3 patients with acute diverticulitis with purulent peritonitis treated with laparoscopic lavage and direct suturing of a colonic perforation.

Non-dynamic graciloplasty is an effective treatment for patients with passive fecal incontinence.

Background: Fecal incontinence is a multifactorial problem and its etiology is complex. Various therapies are available and different success rates have been described. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of non-dynamic graciloplasty in patients with passive fecal incontinence.

Artificial Coherent States of Light by Multiphoton Interference in a Single-Photon Stream.

Coherent optical states consist of a quantum superposition of different photon number (Fock) states, but because they do not form an orthogonal basis, no photon number states can be obtained from it by linear optics. Here we demonstrate the reverse, by manipulating a random continuous single-photon stream using quantum interference in an optical Sagnac loop, we create engineered quantum states of light with tunable photon statistics, including approximate weak coherent states. We demonstrate this experimentally using a true single-photon stream produced by a semiconductor quantum dot in an optical microcavity, and show that we can obtain light with g^{(2)}(0)→1 in agreement with our theory, which can only be explained by quantum interference of at least 3 photons.

Is sterile exposure in perianal procedures necessary? A single-institution experience and results from a national survey.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) are the most common postoperative complications. To minimize the risk of SSI, there is a strict asepsis policy in the operating theatre. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk and cost-saving benefit of performing perianal surgery in a non-sterile setting.

Psychological distress and quality of life following positive fecal occult blood testing in colorectal cancer screening.

Objective: This study aimed to assess psychological functioning, quality of life, and regret about screening after a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and subsequent colonoscopy, and to evaluate changes over time.

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. Individuals aged 55 to 75 with a positive FIT that were referred for colonoscopy between July 2017 and November 2018, were invited to complete questionnaires related to psychological distress and health-related quality of life at three predefined time points: before colonoscopy, after histopathology result notification, and after 6 months.

National cohort study on postoperative risks after surgery for submucosal invasive colorectal cancer.

Background: The decision to perform surgery for patients with T1 colorectal cancer hinges on the estimated risk of lymph node metastasis, residual tumour and risks of surgery. The aim of this observational study was to compare surgical outcomes for T1 colorectal cancer with those for more advanced colorectal cancer.

Methods: This was a population-based cohort study of patients treated surgically for pT1-3 colorectal cancer between 2009 and 2016, using data from the Dutch ColoRectal Audit.

Electro-optic polarization tuning of microcavities with a single quantum dot.

We present an oxide aperture microcavity with embedded quantum dots which utilizes a three-contact design to independently tune the quantum dot wavelength and birefringence of the cavity modes. A polarization splitting tuning of ∼5  GHz is observed. For a typical microcavity polarization splitting, the method can be used to achieve perfect polarization degeneracy that is required for many polarization-based implementations of photonic quantum gates.

Observation of the Unconventional Photon Blockade.

We observe the unconventional photon blockade effect in quantum dot cavity QED, which, in contrast to the conventional photon blockade, operates in the weak coupling regime. A single quantum dot transition is simultaneously coupled to two orthogonally polarized optical cavity modes, and by careful tuning of the input and output state of polarization, the unconventional photon blockade effect is observed. We find a minimum second-order correlation g^{(2)}(0)≈0.

Clinical Relevance of a Grading System for Anastomotic Leakage After Low Anterior Resection: Analysis From a National Cohort Database.

Background: Anastomotic leakage is a severe complication after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. With a global increase in registration initiatives, adapting uniform definitions and grading systems is highly relevant.

Objective: This study aimed to provide clinical parameters to categorize anastomotic leakage into subcategories according to the International Study Group of Rectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer screening: Systematic review of screen-related morbidity and mortality.

Background: Implementation of mass colorectal cancer screening, using faecal occult blood test or colonoscopy, is recommended by the European Union in order to increase cancer-specific survival by diagnosing disease in an earlier stage. Post-colonoscopy complications have been addressed by previous systematic reviews, but morbidity of colorectal cancer screening on multiple levels has never been evaluated before.

Aim: To evaluate potential harm as a result of mass colorectal cancer screening in terms of complications after colonoscopy, morbidity and mortality following surgery, psychological distress and inappropriate use of the screening test.

Purification of a single-photon nonlinearity.

Single photon nonlinearities based on a semiconductor quantum dot in an optical microcavity are a promising candidate for integrated optical quantum information processing nodes. In practice, however, the finite quantum dot lifetime and cavity-quantum dot coupling lead to reduced fidelity. Here we show that, with a nearly polarization degenerate microcavity in the weak coupling regime, polarization pre- and postselection can be used to restore high fidelity.

High mortality rates after nonelective colon cancer resection: results of a national audit.

Aim: Colon cancer resection in a nonelective setting is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this retrospective study is to identify risk factors for overall mortality after colon cancer resection with a special focus on nonelective resection.

Method: Data were obtained from the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit.

Large variation in the use of defunctioning stomas after rectal cancer surgery. A lack of consensus.

Background And Objectives: When deciding about the use of a defunctioning stoma in rectal cancer surgery, benefits and risks need to be weighed. This study investigated: (1a) factors associated with the use of defunctioning stomas; (1b) hospital variation; and (2) surgeons' perceptions regarding factors that determine this decision.

Methods: Population-based data from the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit were used.

Homodyne detection of coherence and phase shift of a quantum dot in a cavity.

A homodyne measurement technique is demonstrated that enables direct observation of the coherence and phase of light that passed through a coupled quantum dot (QD)-microcavity system, which in turn enables clear identification of coherent and incoherent QD transitions. As an example, we study the effect of power-induced decoherence, where the QD transition saturates and incoherent emission from the excited state dominates at higher power. Further, we show that the same technique allows measurement of the quantum phase shift induced by a single QD in the cavity, which is strongly enhanced by cavity quantum electrodynamics effects.

Optimal Treatment Strategy in Rectal Cancer Surgery: Should We Be Cowboys or Chickens?

Background And Purpose: Surgeons and hospitals are increasingly accountable for their postoperative complication rates, which may lead to risk adverse treatment strategies in rectal cancer surgery. It is not known whether a risk adverse strategy leads to providing better care. In this study, the association between the strategy of hospitals regarding defunctioning stoma construction and postoperative outcomes in rectal cancer treatment was evaluated.

Ranking and rankability of hospital postoperative mortality rates in colorectal cancer surgery.

Objectives: To examine to what extent random variation and variation in case-mix influence hospital rankings on the basis of mortality rates and to determine the suitability of mortality for ranking hospitals in colorectal surgery.

Background: Comparing and ranking postoperative mortality rates between hospitals becomes increasingly popular. Differences in hospital case-mix, and chance variation related to caseload, may influence rankings.

High complication rate after low anterior resection for mid and high rectal cancer; results of a population-based study.

Background: Surgical resection is the cornerstone of treatment for rectal cancer patients. Treatment options consist of a primary anastomosis, anastomosis with defunctioning stoma or end-colostomy with closure of the distal rectal stump. This study aimed to compare postoperative outcome of these three surgical options.

Synchronous colorectal carcinoma: a risk factor in colorectal cancer surgery.

Background: Synchronous colorectal carcinoma occurs in 1% to 8% of cases. There are little data on the impact of synchronous colorectal cancer on surgical treatment and short-term postoperative outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this work was to evaluate clinical characteristics and treatment patterns of synchronous colorectal carcinoma and their influence on short-term postoperative outcomes in comparison with solitary colorectal carcinoma.

Safety of elective colorectal cancer surgery: non-surgical complications and colectomies are targets for quality improvement.

Background: Mortality following severe complications (failure-to-rescue, FTR) is targeted in surgical quality improvement projects. Rates may differ between colon- and rectal cancer resections.

Methods: Analysis of patients undergoing elective colon and rectal cancer resections registered in the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit in 2011-2012.

High 1-year complication rate after anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Background: Surgical options after anterior resection for rectal cancer include a primary anastomosis, anastomosis with a defunctioning stoma, and an end colostomy. This study describes short-term and 1-year outcomes of these different surgical strategies.

Methods: Patients undergoing surgical resection for primary mid and high rectal cancer were retrospectively studied in seven Dutch hospitals with 1-year follow-up.

Preoperative risk information and patient involvement in surgical treatment for rectal and sigmoid cancer.

Aim: Surgery for rectal and sigmoid cancer is a model setting for investigating preoperative information provision and shared decision making (SDM), as the decision consists of a trade-off between the pros and cons of different treatment options. The aim of this study was to explore surgeons' opinion on the preoperative information that should be given to rectal and sigmoid cancer patients and to evaluate what is actually communicated. In addition, we assessed surgeons' attitudes towards SDM and compared these with patient involvement.