Adam C Chambers

University of Bristol | UB · School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine

Several techniques for temporary abdominal closure have been developed. We systematically review the literature on temporary abdominal closure to ascertain whether the method can be tailored to the indication. Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and relevant meeting abstracts until December 2009 were searched using t...

Background: Complete tumour response (pCR) to neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy for rectal cancer is associated with a reduction in local recurrence and improved disease-free and overall survival, but is achieved in only 20-30% of patients. Drug repurposing for anti-cancer treatments is gaining momentum, but the potential of such drugs as adjuncts,...

To decrease bowel cancer incidence and improve survival, we need to understand the mechanisms that drive tumorigenesis. Recently, B-cell lymphoma 3 (BCL-3; a key regulator of NF-κB signalling) has been recognised as an important oncogenic player in solid tumours. Although reported to be overexpressed in a subset of colorectal cancers (CRCs), the ro...

Background: Evidence is emerging that the incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in young adults, but the descriptive epidemiology required to better understand these trends is currently lacking. Methods: A population-based cohort study was carried out including all adults aged 20-49 years diagnosed with colorectal cancer in England betwee...

The proto-oncogene BCL-3 is upregulated in a subset of colorectal cancers (CRC), where it has been shown to enhance tumour cell survival. However, although increased expression correlates with poor patient prognosis, the role of BCL-3 in determining therapeutic response remains largely unknown. In this study, we use combined approaches in multiple...

Aim Proximal and distal colorectal cancers (CRCs) exhibit different clinical, molecular and biological patterns. The aim of this study was to determine temporal trends in the age‐standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) of proximal and distal CRC following the introduction of the English Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in 2006. Method The Nati...

We describe the development of a high-throughput bioprinted colorectal cancer (CRC) spheroid platform with high levels of automation, information content, and low cell number requirement. This is achieved via the formulation of a hydrogel bioink with a compressive Young’s modulus that is commensurate with that of colonic tissue (1–3 kPa), which sup...

Aims Recent data suggest that the incidence of malignant appendiceal tumours is increasing. This study aimed to determine temporal trends in the incidence of malignant appendiceal tumours within England and a possible influence by demographic factors. Methods All incident cases of appendiceal tumours in patients aged 20 years and above were identi...

Objective The proto-oncogene BCL-3 is upregulated in a subset of colorectal cancers (CRC) and increased expression of the gene correlates with poor patient prognosis. The aim is to investigate whether inhibiting BCL-3 can increase the response to DNA damage in CRC. Design The function of BCL-3 in DNA damage response was studied in vitro using siRN...

Background Most colorectal cancers (CRC) arise sporadically from precursor lesions: colonic polyps. Polyp resection prevents progression to CRC. Risk of future polyps is proportional to the number and size of polyps detected at screening, allowing identification of high-risk individuals who may benefit from effective chemoprophylaxis. We aimed to i...

Aim: Advanced stage presentation of colorectal cancer is associated with poorer survival outcomes, particularly among young adults. This study aimed to determine whether demographic risk factors for advanced stage presentation differed between young and older adults. Methods: Individual-level data on all incident colorectal cancer cases aged 20...

With it's identification as a proto-oncogene in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and central role in regulating NF-kB signalling, it is perhaps not surprising that there have been an increasing number of studies in recent years investigating the role of BCL-3 (B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia/Lymphoma 3) in a wide range of human cancers. Impo...

Background The prediction of a difficult cholecystectomy has traditionally been based on certain pre-operative clinical and imaging factors. Most of the previous literature reported small patient cohorts and have not used an objective measure of operative difficulty. The aim of this study was to develop a pre-operative score to predict difficult ch...

3D tissue culture provides a physiologically relevant and genetically tractable system for studying normal and malignant human tissues. Despite this, gene-silencing studies using siRNA has proved difficult. In this study, we have identified a cause for why traditional siRNA transfection techniques are ineffective in eliciting gene silencing in situ...

Increased nuclear BCL-3 (a key regulator of inflammation and NF-κB signalling when associated with p50 or p52 homodimers) has been reported in a subset of colorectal cancers, but its role in colorectal tumorigenesis remains poorly understood. Interestingly, recent studies have highlighted the importance of the interplay between NF-κB signalling and...

BACKGROUND: The aims of this prospective population-based cohort study were to identify the patient and hospital characteristics associated with emergency cholecystectomy, and the influences of these in determining variations between hospitals. METHODS: Data were collected for consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish ho...

Background: The optimal timing of cholecystectomy for patients admitted with acute gallbladder pathology is unclear. Some studies have shown that emergency cholecystectomy during the index admission can reduce length of hospital stay with similar rates of conversion to open surgery, complications and mortality compared with a 'delayed' operation f...

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is commonly performed, and several factors increase the risk of open conversion, prolonging operating time and hospital stay. Preoperative stratification would improve consent, scheduling and identify appropriate training cases. The aim of this study was to develop a validated risk score for conversion for...

Background: The aim was to describe the management of benign gallbladder disease and identify characteristics associated with all-cause 30-day readmissions and complications in a prospective population-based cohort. Methods: Data were collected on consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and...

Introduction Colorectal cancer remains the second most common cause of cancer related death in the UK. The successful management of rectal cancer has improved significantly with changes to surgical technique and the addition of pre-operative chemo-radiotherapy. A significant proportion of patients fail to respond to neo-adjuvant therapy. BCL-3 expr...

Introduction Advances in surgical resection, neo-adjuvant therapies and efforts to ensure early detection have led to a reduction in colorectal cancer mortality rates since the 1970s. Despite this, around 40% of patients die from recurrence or metastatic disease, making it the second most common cause of cancer related death in the UK. Poor respons...

Computed tomography (CT) scans are routinely used for primary staging and disease surveillance in patients with colorectal cancer. However, these scans have limited sensitivity in some organs and can only detect lesions with morphological changes, whereas (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET) scans are able to detect...

Appendicitis is a common clinical diagnosis aided by biochemical, haematological and radiological investigations. The role of some investigations, such as bilirubin, is controversial but could indicate complicated appendicitis. Accurate diagnosis enables prioritisation of patients on operating lists and a possible reduction in unnecessary investiga...

Recent guidance advocates daily consultant-led ward rounds, conducted in the morning with the presence of senior nursing staff and minimising patients on outlying wards. These recommendations aim to improve patient management through timely investigations, treatment and discharge. This study sought to evaluate the current surgical ward round practi...

Vernix caseosa peritonitis (VCP) is a rare and poorly recognised condition resulting from a sustained foreign body reaction to the vernix caseosa of the baby. This case-based review aims to highlight its importance for any medical team managing patients with peritonitis who have undergone a recent Caesarean section. A 31-year-old woman presented 5...

Introduction: Herniation following Pfannenstiel incision is rare. Closure of the incision in four layers including the rectii abdominis, is done uncommonly. The authors report five cases of interstitial herniae between the rectus muscles and the anterior rectus sheath, incarcerating omentum and bowel. Four patients underwent repair, two as an emer...

To review the evidence regarding the influence of oxygen as an intrinsic factor on cutaneous wound healing. A literature search was performed using Ovid and the Cochrane Database with the search terms: 'Wound healing', 'Oxygen', 'Collagen', 'Angiogenesis', 'Inflammation' and 'Surgical Site Infection'. Human and animal studies were included if relev...