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INTRODUCTION: We examined the utility of the International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code, R19.5, for a positive or abnormal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and its association with colonoscopy completion. METHODS: We identified all patients in a safety-net health system who underwent FITs from January 1, 2020, to August 31, 2021, and extracted the FIT date, FIT result, and ICD-10 code (R19.5) and colonoscopy procedures for each patient. RESULTS: FIT-positive patients who had an R19.5 designation within 90 days (n = 383) were significantly more likely than all other FIT-positive patients (n = 273) to complete a colonoscopy within 6 months (40.9% vs 16.8%, P

ObjectiveDigital health care offers an opportunity to scale and personalize cancer screening programs, such as mailed outreach for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. However, studies that describe the patient selection strategy and process for CRC screening are limited. Our objective was to evaluate implementation strategies for selecting patients for CRC screening programs in large health care systems.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of 30 studies along with key informant surveys and interviews to describe programmatic implementation strategies for selecting patients for CRC screening. PubMed and Embase were searched since inception through December 2018, and hand searches were performed of the retrieved reference lists but none were incorporated (n = 0). No language exclusions were applied.ResultsCommon criteria for outreach exclusion included: being up-to-date with routine CRC screening (n = 22), comorbidities (n = 20), and personal history (n = 22) or family history of cancer (n = 9). Key informant surveys and interviews were performed (n = 28) to understand data sources and practices for patient outreach selection, and found that 13 studies leveraged electronic medical care records, 10 studies leveraged a population registry (national, municipal, community, health), 4 studies required patient opt-in, and 1 study required primary care provider referral. Broad ranges in fecal immunochemical test completion were observed in community clinic (n = 8, 31.0-59.6%), integrated health system (n = 5, 21.2-82.7%), and national regional CRC screening programs (n = 17, 23.0-64.7%). Six studies used technical codes, and four studies required patient self-reporting from a questionnaire to participate.ConclusionThis systematic review provides health systems with the diverse outreach practices and technical tools to support efforts to automate patient selection for CRC screening outreach.

BackgroundPhone calls as part of multimodal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) outreach are effective but resource-intensive. Previous studies of advanced notification calls before FIT mailing have not differentiated patients' prior screening status.ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of a phone call preceding mailing of a FIT kit on test completion rate for patients who have completed a prior FIT.DesignRandomized controlled trial nested within a larger study. All patients were assigned to receive organized mailed FIT outreach in the larger study.ParticipantsPatients in a safety-net health setting ages 50-75 years old with a previously negative FIT.InterventionsPatients were assigned to either receive an advanced notification phone call or no phone call preceding a mailed FIT kit. Both groups received an informational postcard prior to the mailed FIT.Main measuresThe primary outcome was FIT completion rate at 1 year. The secondary outcomes were FIT completion rates at 60, 90, and 180 days, rates stratified by demographic subgroups, and rates according to outcome of the phone call.Key resultsA total of 1645 patients were assigned to advanced notification calls and 1595 were assigned to no call preceding the FIT mailing. Although FIT completion rate was higher at day 60 (55.5% vs. 50.8%, p < 0.01), an advanced notification call did not significantly improve FIT completion at 1 year (70.9% vs. 69.9%, p = 0.52). Of the patients assigned to receive an advanced notification call, 90.5% were spoken with or left a voicemail; patients who were spoken with were more likely to complete a FIT at 1 year compared with patients who were only left a voicemail or could not be left a voicemail (79.9% vs. 69.2% vs. 49.6%, p < 0.01).ConclusionsAdvanced notification phone calls prior to FIT mailing did not improve rates at 1 year for patients with a previously negative FIT.

Semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) can function as efficient gain materials with chemical versatility because of their surface ligands. Because the properties of NCs in solution are sensitive to ligand–environment interactions, local chemical changes can result in changes in the optical response. However, amplification of the optical response is technically challenging because of colloidal instability at NC concentrations needed for sufficient gain to overcome losses. This paper demonstrates liquid lasing from plasmonic lattice cavities integrated with ligand-engineered CdZnS/ZnS NCs dispersed in toluene and water. By taking advantage of calcium ion-induced aggregation of NCs in aqueous solutions, we show how lasing threshold can be used as a transduction signal for ion detection. Our work highlights how NC solutions and plasmonic lattices with open cavity architectures can serve as a biosensing platform for lab-on-chip devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The mandibular canal houses the nerve, artery and vein, providing sensory innervation to the lower teeth and tissues. Understanding its variations is essential in dental practice to avoid nerve injuries during anaesthesia and surgeries. Dentists use imaging techniques such as panoramic X-rays and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to visualise the canal, with CBCT offering detailed Three-dimensional images to assist in accurate treatment planning. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of mandibular canal variations using CBCT, focusing on their occurrence by side, gender and age group. Materials and Methods: This study included 100 subjects aged 21–60, divided into four age groups of 25 each. CBCT scans were used to assess mandibular canal variations. Data were analysed with the Chi-square test, using a significance threshold of P < 0.05. Results: Out of 100 subjects, 75% had normal mandibular canals and 25% had accessory canals, with a higher prevalence in males, though the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.10). The accessory canals were more common on the right side and in the 21–30 age group, with males exhibiting more bifid and trifid variations. Conclusion: The prevalence of accessory mandibular canals was seen more in males and on the right side. CBCT seems to be a suitable tool for evaluating bifid and trifid canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rare disease. Background: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a life-threatening complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). It is characterized by a fibrous membrane partially or totally encasing the small bowel and is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction (SBO). Here we present a case of a young woman with a history of PD presenting with SBO due to EPS. Case Report: A 37-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease secondary to uncontrolled hypertension previously on PD presented to the emergency department for evaluation of 1 week of intractable nausea and vomiting associated with diffuse abdominal pain. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed findings consistent with a fibrous membrane encapsulating the small bowel and a small bowel follow-through revealed an SBO. She was diagnosed with secondary stage 3 EPS due to PD. She was started on prednisone and tamoxifen with quick resolution of her symptoms. Unfortunately, due to numerous recurrent SBOs, she is now being evaluated for surgical treatment options. Conclusions: This report has presented a case of EPS, a rare complication of PD, which requires early diagnosis and management to prevent potentially fatal consequences. Management should focus on treating the underlying condition, optimizing nutrition, and using corticosteroids or tamoxifen (alone or in combination) depending on disease state and contraindications, with the aim of reducing recurrent SBOs. Failure of conservative management may require surgical evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]