Clinical Research Directory

Liquid Biopsy in Early Colorectal Lesions

Early colorectal cancer screening increasingly detects small superficial colonic lesions, but current diagnostic tools still struggle to distinguish benign from malignant lesions and to assess lymph node risk. As histology after resection has limited accuracy, many patients undergo unnecessary surgery. Liquid biopsy, analyzing circulating biomarkers such as tumor DNA, extracellular vesicles, and nucleosomes, offers a non-invasive way to better classify these lesions. Emerging evidence suggests it may outperform current criteria for predicting lymph node involvement in T1 colorectal cancer. This study will establish a biobank of 1,000 patients to identify blood-based signatures that predict tumor stage and lymph node status. The hypothesis of the study is that circulating biomarkers can accurately differentiate benign from malignant lesions and identify patients with or without lymph node metastasis.

Single-use Versus Multiple-use Endoscopes in Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology is a branch of medicine that looks after people with problems in the gut (including the stomach and bowels) using an endoscope. An endoscope is a thin tube with a light and camera at the end, which is used to look inside bits of the body, for example the stomach, bile ducts (tubes that connect the liver and gallbladder to the bowel) or large bowel. Some have extra bits attached to take samples of tissue to look at under a microscope. These tubes are made mostly of plastic. Around 1.5 million endoscopies are performed each year in the UK. In the NHS, most endoscopes are re-usable and are used hundreds of times after cleaning and disinfection. They must be very carefully cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of passing on infections to other patients as well as the healthcare staff who use the equipment. If endoscopes are cleaned and disinfected properly, the risk of infection will be very low. However there have been reports of infections, which may be related to disinfection not being done properly. Disposable single-use endoscopes are now available, designed to reduce the risk of infection. These are thought to be just as good as re-usable endoscopes. However, if we switch to disposable endoscopes, it may increase the cost to the NHS. There will also be an effect on the environment from using limited resources to make endoscopes, and get rid of them by incineration (burning) or burial in landfill waste. The aim of this research is to provide evidence on the arguments for and against the use of single-use vs. multiple-use endoscopes in gastroenterology for NHS decision makers, especially regarding cost-effectiveness and effect on the environment. This will help the aim of the NHS in England to be "the world's first 'net zero' national health service.

Comparison of the Effects of Music and White Noise in Children Performed Endoscopy

The study was planned as a randomized controlled experimental study to compare the effects of music and white noise on fear, anxiety and pain levels before, during and after the procedure in school-age children (6-12 years old) who will undergo endoscopy. Hypothesis 0 (H0): There is no difference in fear, anxiety, pain, parental anxiety and pulse, respiration and oxygen saturation values between children exposed to music and white noise. Hypothesis 1 (H1): Children who were exposed to music and white noise had lower fear scores than children who were not exposed to any application. Hypothesis 2 (H2): Children who were exposed to music and white noise had lower anxiety scores than children who were not exposed to any application. Hypothesis 3 (H3): Children who were exposed to music and white noise had lower pain scores than children who were not exposed to any application. Hypothesis 4 (H4): Children who were exposed to music and white noise had lower pulse value scores than children who were not exposed to any application. Hypothesis 5 (H5): Children who were exposed to music and white noise had lower respiratory rate scores than children who were not exposed to any application. Hypothesis 6 (H6): Children who were exposed to music and white noise had higher oxygen saturation value scores than children who were not exposed to any application. Hypothesis 7 (H7): Parents of children who were exposed to music and white noise had lower parental anxiety than parents of children who were not exposed to any treatment. There are music group, white noise and control group in the study.