Adenoma Detection Rates by Physicians and Subsequent Colorectal Cancer Risk.

Importance: Patients of physicians with higher adenoma detection rates (ADRs) during colonoscopy have lower colorectal cancer (CRC) risk after screening colonoscopy (ie, postcolonoscopy CRC). Among physicians with an ADR above the recommended threshold, it is unknown whether improving ADR is associated with a lower incidence of CRC in their patients.

Objective: To determine the association of improved ADR in physicians with a range of ADR values at baseline with CRC incidence among their patients.

Can optical evaluation distinguish between T1a and T1b esophageal adenocarcinoma: an international expert interobserver agreement study.

Background:  Piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is an acceptable technique for T1a esophageal adenocarcinoma, but en bloc R0 excision is advocated for T1b disease as it may offer a potential cure and mitigate recurrence. Thus, distinguishing between T1a and T1b disease is imperative under current treatment paradigms. We investigated whether expert Barrett's endoscopists could make this distinction based on optical evaluation.

Radiofrequency ablation via catheter and transpapillary access in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (ACTICCA-2 trial) - a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label investigator-initiated trial.

Background: Despite the recent advances in cancer treatment, the therapeutic options for patients with biliary tract cancer are still very limited and the prognosis very poor. More than 50% of newly diagnosed patients with biliary tract cancer are not amenable to curative surgical treatment and thus treated with palliative systemic treatment. Malignant bile duct obstructions in patients with perihilar and/or ductal cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) represents one of the most important challenges in the management of these patients, owning to the risk represented by developing life-threatening cholangitis which, in turn, limits the use of systemic treatment.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy for hypercontractile (Jackhammer) esophagus: A retrospective multicenter series with long-term follow-up.

Introduction: Long-term outcome data are limited for non-achalasia esophageal motility disorders treated by peroral endoscopy myotomy (POEM) as a separate group. We investigated a subset of symptomatic patients with hypercontractile esophagus (Jackhammer esophagus).

Methods: Forty two patients (mean age 60.

Expert assessment of infiltration depth and recommendation of endoscopic resection technique in early Barrett cancer.

Background: Early Barrett cancer can be curatively treated by endoscopic resection. The choice of the resection technique, however-endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or submucosal dissection (ESD)-largely depends on the assumed infiltration depth as judged by the endoscopist. However, the accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis of the degree of cancer infiltration is not known.

Cold Versus Hot Snare Endoscopic Resection of Large Nonpedunculated Colorectal Polyps: Randomized Controlled German CHRONICLE Trial.

Background & Aims: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is standard therapy for nonpedunculated colorectal polyps ≥20 mm. It has been suggested recently that polyp resection without current (cold resection) may be superior to the standard technique using cutting/coagulation current (hot resection) by reducing adverse events (AEs), but evidence from a randomized trial is missing.

Methods: In this randomized controlled multicentric trial involving 19 centers, nonpedunculated colorectal polyps ≥20 mm were randomly assigned to cold or hot EMR.

Diagnostic yield from symptomatic gastroscopy in the UK: British Society of Gastroenterology analysis using data from the National Endoscopy Database.

Objective: This national analysis aimed to calculate the diagnostic yield from gastroscopy for common symptoms, guiding improved resource utilisation.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted of diagnostic gastroscopies between 1 March 2019 and 29 February 2020 using the UK National Endoscopy Database. Mixed-effect logistic regression models were used, incorporating random (endoscopist) and fixed (symptoms, age and sex) effects on two dependent variables (endoscopic cancer; Barrett's oesophagus (BO) diagnosis).

Diagnostic yield from symptomatic lower gastrointestinal endoscopy in the UK: A British Society of Gastroenterology analysis using data from the National Endoscopy Database.

Background: The value of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy (LGIE; colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy) relates to its ability to detect clinically relevant findings, predominantly cancers, preneoplastic polyps or inflammatory bowel disease. There are concerns that many LGIEs are performed on low-risk patients with limited benefit.

Aims: To determine the diagnostic outcomes of LGIE for common symptoms.

Transverse emittance growth of proton sources from laser-irradiated sub-μm-thin planar targets.

Proton bunches with maximum energies between 12 and 22 MeV were emitted from submicrometer-thin plastic foils upon irradiation by laser pulses with peak intensity of 4×10^{20}W/cm^{2}. The images of the protons by a magnetic quadrupole doublet on a screen remained consistently larger by a factor of 10 compared to expectations drawn from the ultralow transverse emittance values reported for thick foil targets. Analytic estimates and particle-in-cell simulations attribute this drastically increased emittance to formerly excluded Coulomb collisions between charged particles.

Endoscopic En Bloc Versus Piecemeal Resection of Large Nonpedunculated Colonic Adenomas : A Randomized Comparative Trial.

Background: Endoscopic resection of adenomas prevents colorectal cancer, but the optimal technique for larger lesions is controversial. Piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has a low adverse event (AE) rate but a variable recurrence rate necessitating early follow-up. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can reduce recurrence but may increase AEs.

A Gradient of Intestinal Inflammation in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

Background: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive liver disease associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The percentage of PSC patients diagnosed with concomitant IBD varies considerably between studies. This raises the question whether all PSC patients would show intestinal inflammation if screened thoroughly, even in the absence of symptoms.

Minimally invasive intrathoracic negative-pressure therapy and flexible thoracoscopy (FlexVATS) for patients with pleural empyema.

To determine whether a new surgical method using a flexible endoscope (FlexVATS) to perform sparing debridement and apply negative-pressure therapy without extensive decortication may be an alternative treatment option for empyema. Surgical treatment of pleural empyema is associated with considerable postoperative complications and mortality rates, and alternative treatment options are being explored to improve patient outcomes. This was a prospective case series.

Challenges in the interdisciplinary treatment of leakages after left-sided colorectal surgery: endoscopic negative pressure therapy, open-pore film drainage therapy and beyond.

Purpose: The treatment of anastomotic leakage after left colorectal surgery remains challenging. Since its introduction, endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) has proven to be advantageous, reducing the necessity of surgical revision. The aim of our study is to present our experience with endoscopic treatment of colorectal leakages and to identify potential factors influencing treatment outcome.

MELD-Lactate Predicts Poor Outcome in Variceal Bleeding in Cirrhosis.

Background: Predictors of poor outcome associated with variceal bleeding remain suboptimal. In patients with cirrhosis, serum lactate combined with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD-LA) improved prediction across heterogeneous populations. However, prognostic properties have not yet been assessed in the context of variceal bleeding.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Adjuvant Chemotherapy With Gemcitabine After Liver Transplantation for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma - A Multi-Center, Randomized, Controlled Trial (pro-duct001).

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is considered a therapeutic option for unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) within defined criteria. It remains uncertain whether patients can safely receive adjuvant chemotherapy after LT.

Methods: We performed a prospective, multi-center, randomized, non-blinded two-arm trial (pro-duct001).

A prospective pilot study of a gluten-free diet for primary sclerosing cholangitis and associated colitis.

Background: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a progressive bile duct disease associated with inflammatory bowel disease (PSC-IBD).

Aim: To investigate whether patients with PSC-IBD benefit from a gluten-free and amylase trypsin inhibitor (ATI)-free diet (GFD).

Methods: We performed a prospective clinical pilot study administering an eight-week GFD.

Variability in adenoma detection rate in control groups of randomized colonoscopy trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is still the main surrogate outcome parameter of screening colonoscopy, but most studies include mixed indications, and basic ADR is quite variable. We therefore looked at the control groups in randomized ADR trials using advanced imaging or mechanical methods to find out whether indications or other factors influence ADR levels.

Methods: Patients in the control groups of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on ADR increase using various methods were collected based on a systematic review; this control group had to use high-definition white-light endoscopy performed between 2008 and 2021.

Bile Duct Colonization With Enterococcus sp. Associates With Disease Progression in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

Background & Aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the biliary mucosa. Bile ducts in PSC are often colonized with bacteria. Although accumulating evidence demonstrates the importance of microbiota for mucosal immunity, little is known about the impact of bile duct colonization with bacteria on the clinical course of PSC.

Second-generation distal attachment cuff for adenoma detection in screening colonoscopy: a randomized multicenter study.

Background And Aims: Randomized studies have demonstrated that a distal attachment cap with rubber side arms, the Endocuff Vision (ECV; Olympus America, Center Valley, Pa, USA), increased colonoscopic adenoma detection rate (ADR) in various mixed patient collectives. This is the first study to evaluate its use in a primary colonoscopic screening program.

Methods: Patients over age 55 years undergoing screening colonoscopy in 9 German private offices in Berlin and Hamburg were randomized to either the study group using ECV or the control group using high-definition colonoscopies (standard of care).

GWAS meta-analysis of 16 790 patients with Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma identifies 16 novel genetic risk loci and provides insights into disease aetiology beyond the single marker level.

Objective: Oesophageal cancer (EC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EA), with Barrett's oesophagus (BE) as a precursor lesion, is the most prevalent EC subtype in the Western world. This study aims to contribute to better understand the genetic causes of BE/EA by leveraging genome wide association studies (GWAS), genetic correlation analyses and polygenic risk modelling.

Combined endoscopic-percutaneous treatment of upper gastrointestinal enterocutaneous fistula using vacuum therapy and resorbable plug insertion (Vac-Plug).

After gastrointestinal resections, leakages can occur, persist despite conventional therapy and result in enterocutaneous fistulae. We developed a combination method using flexible endoscopic techniques to seal the enteric orifice with an absorbable plug in addition to a percutaneously and fistuloscopically guided open-pore film drainage (Vac-Plug method). We retrospectively searched our endoscopy database to identify patients treated with the outlined technique.

eQTL Set-Based Association Analysis Identifies Novel Susceptibility Loci for Barrett Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Over 20 susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) have been identified for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor, Barrett esophagus (BE), explaining a small portion of heritability.

Methods: Using genetic data from 4,323 BE and 4,116 EAC patients aggregated by international consortia including the Barrett's and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Consortium (BEACON), we conducted a comprehensive transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) for BE/EAC, leveraging Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) gene-expression data from six tissue types of plausible relevance to EAC etiology: mucosa and muscularis from the esophagus, gastroesophageal (GE) junction, stomach, whole blood, and visceral adipose. Two analytical approaches were taken: standard TWAS using the predicted gene expression from local expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), and set-based SKAT association using selected eQTLs that predict the gene expression.

A video based benchmark data set (ENDOTEST) to evaluate computer-aided polyp detection systems.

Background And Aims: Computer-aided polyp detection (CADe) may become a standard for polyp detection during colonoscopy. Several systems are already commercially available. We report on a video-based benchmark technique for the first preclinical assessment of such systems before comparative randomized trials are to be undertaken.