Colorectal cancer detection based on the extraction of scattering properties and biochemical concentrations from fluorescence spectroscopy measurements

We report the first study estimating fluorophore and chromophore concentrations with scattering properties for colorectal cancer detection, as well as one of the first studies performing such estimation based on fluorescence spectra alone

Evaluating implementation of the FIGO Nutrition Checklist for preconception and pregnancy within the Bukhali trial in Soweto, South Africa

Objective: To evaluate implementation of the FIGO Nutrition Checklist in a low/middle-income South African setting. Methods: This is a mixed-methods study. Following administration of the FIGO Nutrition Checklist by a dietitian between July 2021 and May 2022, quantitative responses from pregnant (n = 96) and nonpregnant (n = 291) participants with overweight or obesity were analyzed, using logistic regression. Qualitative data from in-depth interviews with the dietitian and a subgroup of participants (n = 15) were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Of 387 participants, 97.4% (n = 377) answered ‘no’ to at least one diet quality question on the FIGO Nutrition Checklist, indicative of an at-risk dietary practice. Food insecurity was positively associated with having more than three at-risk practices (OR 1.87; 95% CI, 1.10–3.18; P = 0.021). Themes from the dietitian interview included ease of use of the checklist; required adaptations to it, including explanation and translation; and benefits of the tool. Despite challenges to healthy nutrition, participant interviews identified that the checklist is acceptable and supported improved awareness of dietary intakes. Conclusion: Considering the high incidence of at-risk dietary practices identified by the FIGO Nutrition Checklist in this population, further research into use of the tool across South African healthcare settings is warranted

Indistinguishable NDM-producing escherichia coli isolated from recreational waters, sewage, and a clinical specimen in Ireland, 2016 to 2017

In this study, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM)-producing Enterobacteriaceae were identified in Irish recreational waters and sewage. Indistinguishable NDM-producing Escherichia coli by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were isolated from sewage, a fresh water stream and a human source. NDM-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from sewage and seawater in the same area were closely related to each other and to a human isolate. This raises concerns regarding the potential for sewage discharges to contribute to the spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.peer-reviewe

Mycotic aneurysm of the popliteal artery secondary to <it>Streptococus pneumoniae</it>: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract Introduction Cases of true mycotic popliteal artery aneurysm are rare. Presentation is variable but invasive and non-invasive investigations collectively facilitate diagnosis and guide operative procedures. Definitive treatment generally utilizes surgical intervention with excision and reconstruction using autologous vein graft. Prolonged targeted antibiotic therapy is an important adjuvant. Case presentation We describe the clinical presentation, radiological investigations and strategies on the management of a 47-year-old Caucasian Irish man who presented with a mycotic aneurysm of the popliteal artery due to thromboembolisation from Streptococus pneumoniae endocarditis. Conclusion Cases of true mycotic popliteal artery aneurysms are rare. To the best of our knowledge this is the first documented case of a popliteal artery mycotic aneurysm developing secondary to Streptococus pneumoniae highlighting the changing profile of causative microorganisms.</p

Insights into Biochemical Sources and Diffuse Reflectance Spectral Features for Colorectal Cancer Detection and Localization

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common and second most deadly type of cancer worldwide. Early detection not only reduces mortality but also improves patient prognosis by allowing the use of minimally invasive techniques to remove cancer while avoiding major surgery. Expanding the use of microsurgical techniques requires accurate diagnosis and delineation of the tumor margins in order to allow complete excision of cancer. We have used diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) to identify the main optical CRC biomarkers and to optimize parameters for the integration of such technologies into medical devices. A total number of 2889 diffuse reflectance spectra were collected in ex vivo specimens from 47 patients. Short source-detector distance (SDD) and long-SDD fiber-optic probes were employed to measure tissue layers from 0.5 to 1 mm and from 0.5 to 1.9 mm deep, respectively. The most important biomolecules contributing to differentiating DRS between tissue types were oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin (Hb and HbO2), followed by water and lipid. Accurate tissue classification and potential DRS device miniaturization using Hb, HbO2, lipid and water data were achieved particularly well within the wavelength ranges 350–590 nm and 600–1230 nm for the short-SDD probe, and 380–400 nm, 420–610 nm, and 650–950 nm for the long-SDD probe

Evaluation of wavelength ranges and tissue depth probed by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for colorectal cancer detection

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer worldwide and the second most deadly. Recent research efforts have focused on developing non-invasive techniques for CRC detection. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic capabilities of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for CRC detection by building 6 classification models based on support vector machines (SVMs). Our dataset consists of 2889 diffuse reflectance spectra collected from freshly excised ex vivo tissues of 47 patients over wavelengths ranging from 350 and 1919 nm with source-detector distances of 630-µm and 2500-µm to probe different depths. Quadratic SVMs were used and performance was evaluated using twofold cross-validation on 10 iterations of randomized training and test sets. We achieved (93.5 ± 2.4)% sensitivity, (94.0 ± 1.7)% specificity AUC by probing the superficial colorectal tissue and (96.1 ± 1.8)% sensitivity, (95.7 ± 0.6)% specificity AUC by sampling deeper tissue layers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first DRS study to investigate the potential of probing deeper tissue layers using larger SDD probes for CRC detection in the luminal wall. The data analysis showed that using a broader spectrum and longer near-infrared wavelengths can improve the diagnostic accuracy of CRC as well as probing deeper tissue layers

Indistinguishable ndm-producing escherichia coli isolated from recreational waters, sewage, and a clinical specimen in ireland, 2016 to 2017

In this study, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM)-producing Enterobacteriaceae were identified in Irish recreational waters and sewage. Indistinguishable NDM-producing Escherichia coli by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were isolated from sewage, a fresh water stream and a human source. NDM-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from sewage and sea-water in the same area were closely related to each other and to a human isolate. This raises concerns regarding the potential for sewage discharges to contribute to the spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae