Novel prep-less X-ray imaging capsule for colon cancer screening: a feasibility study

An overview of emerging smart capsules using other-than-light technologies for colonic disease detection

Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) has revolutionized gastrointestinal diagnostics, offering a non-invasive means to visualize and monitor the GI tract. This review traces the evolution of CE technology. Addressing the limitations of traditional white light (WL) CE, the paper explores non-WL technologies, integrating diverse sensing modalities and novel biomarkers to enhance diagnostic capabilities. Concluding with an assessment of Technology Readiness Levels, the paper emphasizes the transformative impact of non-WL colon CE devices on GI diagnostics, promising more precise, patient-centric, and accessible healthcare for GI disorders.

Colorectal Cancer and Polyp Detection Using a New Preparation-Free, Colon-Scan Capsule: A Pilot Study of Safety and Patient Satisfaction

BACKGROUND

Current strategies to prevent colorectal cancer (CRC) vary considerably regarding safety, invasiveness, and patient satisfaction. A known deterrent for patients is the required bowel cleansing for colonoscopy. A new colon-scan capsule system is a unique preparation-free approach that provides structural information on colonic mucosa intended for detection of colorectal polyps and masses.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to determine safety and patient satisfaction with the colon-scan capsule.

METHODS

Prospective single-arm pilot study conducted at two tertiary care centers. Patients with a pre-scheduled colonoscopy for CRC screening or surveillance were included. Patients participating in this study underwent the colon-scan capsule and colonoscopy. Safety was defined by the occurrence of procedure or device-related adverse events. Satisfaction was based on survey questionnaires using a scoring system 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Patient satisfaction with the colon-scan capsule was compared to colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Forty patients were included (52.9 [5.7] years; 64.1% females). There were no serious adverse events and no occurrences of capsule retention. The most common (12.5%) complaint was self-limiting abdominal cramping. Satisfaction questionnaires were completed by more than 87% of patients, with patients likely to recommend the capsule (score 4.1 [1.03]) compared to colonoscopy (score 2.8 [1.2]), p = 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

The new prepless colon-scan capsule system is an innovative, minimally invasive technology with demonstrated safety and high patient satisfaction. A multicenter pivotal study is planned to validate the performance, safety, and accuracy of polyp detection using the capsule system in comparison with colonoscopy.

Safety and importance of colonoscopy in nonagenarians

BACKGROUND

With the growth of the aging population, the need for colonoscopies in nonagenarians is rising. However, few data on colonoscopies in extremely elderly individuals are available. To better acknowledge the role of colonoscopies in this specific group of patients, we conducted this study to evaluate the safety and clinical impact of colonoscopy in nonagenarian patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study comparing nonagenarians who received colonoscopy in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan in 2016 with 76- to 80-year-old patients (relatively elderly patients) who were 1:1 propensity score matched by sex as the control subjects. The postcolonoscopy 30-day adverse events, mortality, and long-term survival were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 137 nonagenarians and 137 relatively elderly patients were included. The nonagenarians receiving colonoscopy were more likely to be hospitalized (40.1% vs 19.7%, p < 0.001), and the adjusted colonoscopy completion rates were comparable in both groups (92.0% vs 97.1%, p = 0.063). The overall adverse event rate and postcolonoscopy 30-day mortality rates were low in both groups (2.9% vs 1.5%, p = 0.409 and 2.2% vs 1.5%, p = 0.652, respectively). A total of 18.2% of the nonagenarians were diagnosed with advanced neoplasia. Among the nonagenarians diagnosed with colorectal cancer, the patients receiving surgery had a significantly lower risk of death than the patients receiving conservative management (hazards ratio 0.1044, 0.01275-0.8529, p = 0.0352).

CONCLUSION

Colonoscopy in patients older than 90 years is generally safe. Colonoscopy findings that led to surgery in nonagenarians diagnosed with colorectal cancer were associated with survival benefits.

Ultrasound Image Features under Decomposition Algorithm to Analyze the Nursing Intervention on Patients with Colon Polyps Undergoing Endoscopic Resection

Based on the ultrasonic imaging and endoscopic resection of the intelligent segmentation algorithm, this study is aimed at exploring whether nursing intervention can promote the good recovery of patients with colon polyps, hoping to find a new method for clinical treatment of the colon polyps. Patients with colon polyps were divided into an experimental group (fine nursing) and a control group (general nursing). The colonoscopy polyp ultrasound image was preprocessing to select the seed points and background points. The random walk decomposition algorithm was applied to calculate the probability of each marked point, and then, the marked image was outputted. The accuracy of the intelligent segmentation algorithm was 81%. The incidence of complications in the experimental group was 4.83%, which was lower than 16.66% in the control group, and the difference was statistically obvious (P < 0.05). Perioperative refined nursing intervention for colon polyp patients undergoing endoscopic electrosurgical resection can decrease postoperative adverse reactions; reduce postoperative mucosal perforation, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, and small bleeding; lower the incidence of postoperative complications; and allow patients to recover quickly, enhancing the life comfort of patient.

Determinants of non-participation in colon examination following positive stool sample in colorectal cancer screening

BACKGROUND

Social inequalities has been shown for participation in colorectal cancer screening and recently in the initial stool sample blood test. If these differences persist at follow-up colon examination after a positive stool test, it would suggest that social inequality in screening may be greater than the inequality observed in initial stool sample blood test.

METHODS

All data were derived from national registers. Using logistic regression analyses, odds of non-participation for follow-up colon examination were estimated based on age group, educational level, income quartile, immigration status and marital status in men and in women, who had participated in initial stool sample test for blood with a positive result.

RESULTS

Among 20 849 men and 16 565 women invited for follow-up colonoscopy in the period 2014-15, 10.63 and 11.37%, respectively, did not attend. In men, odds of non-participation were higher in the eldest, those with lower income and lower educational level, in immigrants and in singles. Odds ratio (OR) in males of highest income quartile was 0.54 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46; 0.63] compared with lowest income quartile. In women, the differences were not as large. OR in females of highest income quartile was 0.73 (95% CI 0.61; 0.87) compared with lowest income quartile.

CONCLUSION

Sociodemographic differences in odds of non-participation exist in follow-up colon examination in the Danish colorectal cancer screening. Differences were evident in all subgroups of the male population. The same patterns were seen in women. Social inequalities in participation for follow-up colon examination can increase overall social inequality and consequently, lead to health disparities.

miR-497 induces apoptosis by the IRAK2/NF-κB axis in the canine mammary tumour

Since companion dogs have the same living environment as humans, they are a good animal model for the study of human diseases; this is especially true of canine spontaneous mammary tumours models. A better understanding of the natural history and molecular mechanisms of canine mammary tumour is of great significance in comparative medicine. Here, we collected canine mammary tumour cases and then assayed the clinical cases by pathological examination and classification by HE staining and IHC. miRNA-497 family members (miR-497, miR-16, miR-195 and miR-15) were positively correlated with the breast cancer marker genes p63 and PTEN. Modulation of the expression of miR-497 in the canine mammary tumour cell lines CMT1211 and CMT 7364 induced apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation. Mechanistically, IRAK2 was shown to be a functional target of miR-497 that affects the characteristics of cancer cells by inhibiting the activity of the NF-κB pathway. Overall, our work reveals the miR-497/IRAK2/NF-κB axis as a vital mechanism of canine mammary tumour progression and suggests this axis as a target in breast cancer.

Bioconjugated gold nanoparticles as an efficient colorimetric sensor for cancer diagnostics

The chances of curing and reducing the adverse effect of cancer partly lie in early detection. Colorimetric sensor-based technique show promising results since the target is detected with high sensitivity but without the use of advanced/costly techniques through a simple visual color change. In most cases, gold nanoparticles (Au Nps) functionalized with biomolecules complementary to target analyte are used for colorimetric detection. The interaction of functionalized Au Nps with target analytes induce aggregation or dispersion where the color of the solution changes from red to blue or blue to red respectively, which can be visualized by the naked eyes. Such a facile technique has a high commercial viability and therefore, understanding its concept is essential. Here, some of the reported studies are discussed technically for better understanding about the invitro colorimetric detection of cancer.

The evaluation of GI-pill gastrointestinal electronic capsule for colonic transit test in patients with slow transit constipation

OBJECTIVE

The evaluation of GI-pill gastrointestinal electronic capsule for colonic transit test in patients with slow transit constipation (STC) was studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

STC patients (n = 162) were randomly divided into experimental group (n = 84, orally taken GI-pill gastrointestinal electronic capsule and X-ray granule capsule) and control group (n = 78, orally taken X-ray granule capsule). Comparison of the time in colonic transit test between the two groups was conducted. The data of GI-pill gastrointestinal electronic capsule in vivo time, time of capsule passing through the colon, the number of high amplitude propagating contractions (HAPCs), and physiological response ratio were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the whole colonic transit test time, right colonic transit time, left colonic transit time, and rectosigmoid colonic transit time between experimental group and control group (p > 0.05). All patients had no abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, black stool, difficulty in electronic capsule excretion, or any other discomfort during the test.

CONCLUSION

GI-pill gastrointestinal electronic capsule can continuously evaluate the dynamic characteristics of digestive tract in STC patients and is consistent with X-ray granule capsule, which is meaningful to clinical application.