https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sagr/issue/feedSouth African Gastroenterology Review2023-10-27T15:19:49+00:00Dr. Vetriselvan Subramaniyan Ph.D., FMSA. editor.sagr@gmail.comOpen Journal Systems<p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>THE SOUTH AFRICAN GASTROENTEROLOGY REVIEW </em>is written by specialists in the field. Its aim is to publish articles pertinent to the practicing Gastroenterologist in South Africa. The South African Gastroenterology Review is distributed to a broad spectrum of clinicians who have an interest in clinical gastroenterology and hepatology. </p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The views expressed in individual articles are the personal views of the Authors and are not necessarily shared by the Editors, the Advertisers or the Publisher. No articles may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of the Publisher</p>https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sagr/article/view/258062Determination of Thoracic Injuries 2023-10-27T15:11:10+00:00C.Z. Pardeshidrchandrap@rediffmail.comA.Y. Kshirsagarkshirsagarashok007@gmail.comR.G. Naniwadekardrrgnaniwadekar@gmail.comHazem Mustafa Abdelallhazemabdelall@yahoo.com<p>Research has shown that in India, there is a notable correlation between CI and the rising incidence of motor vehicle accidents, which account for around 6% of worldwide vehicle accidents. This may be attributed to several factors, such as RTA, the introduction of high-speed vehicles, and the prevailing misunderstanding and lack of information regarding traffic regulations. The objective of our study was to assess the P,O & M of T.I. at the first presentation and the first two follow-up visits. The patients were evaluated from the time of admission until either their death or discharge. A comprehensive history of the event was obtained. M of CT was divided into 3 distinct level of care ie, PHTLS, IH /ERTLS & STLS.We found that, majority of patients in our study had RF (74%), followed by PT (40.5%), HT (27%), and LC (13%). MSI (MSI) accounted for 70% of patients, followed by LL (35%), UE (34%), and FBF (29%). 21.5% of patients had EH and 23.5% haD SDH In 22% of instances, skull fractures occurred. Most patients (93.5%) had chest discomfort, followed by D (79%),T(67.5%), and tachycardia (59.5%). We conclude that CT resulting in RTA remains the primary cause of CI. The necessity of traffic rules and regulations must be emphasized to the general public via increased preventative measures, and then those measures must be strictly enforced.</p>2023-10-26T00:00:00+00:00Copyright (c) 2023 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sagr/article/view/258063Understanding Student Knowledge: A Survey on Colorectal Cancer Awareness 2023-10-27T15:17:23+00:00Abdul Hakim Kader Sultan1@1.comAzra Noureen1@1.comHardev Singh H S1@1.comNirmala P1@1.comNazmul M H M1@1.com<p>One of the most dangerous tumors in Asia, colorectal cancer (CRC), which includes cancers of the colon and rectum, is second only to lung cancer in terms of mortality. The primary objective of this study was to better understand this terrible disease, therefore it set out to assess the level of colorectal cancer knowledge among M. Phil. biotechnology students in an Asian environment. A precisely created questionnaire with 15 fundamental CRC-related questions was used to gauge their level of knowledge. 37 students in total actively engaged in this poll, 31 of them were female and 6 of whom were male. The results of the survey were startling, demonstrating how little these students knew about CRC. 78% of the students in the first lesson on causative agents incorrectly believed that CRC was a bacterial disease. Following a discussion about their proximity to CRC victims, more than 95% of respondents said they had never been aware of any CRC instances in their relatives or nearby neighborhood. 38% of students incorrectly believed that CRC could be inherited from parents who had the disease in the third category, which focused on the disease's perceived transmission methods. A startling 97% of students wrongly believed that medicine alone could treat CRC in the final portion, while 68% believed that surgical intervention was required. This study therefore emphasizes how important it is to educate Asian communities about colorectal cancer. These results highlight the need for educational programs that attempt to dispel myths and increase understanding about this deadly disease since communities that are well-informed and aware are better able to effectively prevent, detect, and manage CRC.</p>2023-10-26T00:00:00+00:00Copyright (c) 2023 https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sagr/article/view/258064Embracing the New Era of Immunotherapy in Gastric Cancer Treatment 2023-10-27T15:19:49+00:00Abdul Hakim Kader Sultanpdrabhakim@yahoo.comSrikumar Chakravarthi1@1.comMohammed Shahjahan Kabir1@1.comLubna Shirin1@1.comHardev Singh H S1@1.comMuhammed Muhiuddin Mazumder1@1.comFarzana Y1@1.comTan Sing Ying1@1.comK Sree Raman1@1.comTan Yong Chia1@1.comAzra Noureen1@1.comNazmul M H M1@1.com<p>Advanced gastric cancer still presents a grim outlook, typically yielding a median survival rate of approximately 12 to 15 months. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as a promising standard treatment for various malignancies, including advanced gastric cancer. They have shown significant clinical advantages in certain patient groups. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the current landscape of immunotherapy in gastric cancer. Our focus centers on elucidating the molecular and immunological characteristics, identifying relevant biomarkers, scrutinizing major clinical trials, and exploring innovative immunotherapeutic approaches. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), exemplified by anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) or programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibodies, have extended survival rates across various malignancies, including advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Notably, Nivolumab, a monoclonal anti-PD-1 antibody, demonstrated enhanced overall survival in AGC patients as a later-line therapy in the ATTRACTION-2 study, and when combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment in the global CheckMate-649 study. Another monoclonal anti-PD-1 antibody, Pembrolizumab, exhibited promising single-agent efficacy in tumors characterized by high microsatellite instability or a high tumor mutational burden. Additionally, the recent KEYNOTE-811 study showcased a significant increase in response rates when Pembrolizumab was used in conjunction with trastuzumab and chemotherapy for HER2-positive AGC. These groundbreaking findings have led to the integration of ICIs into the standard treatment regimen for AGC patients. Consequently, pivotal clinical trials have culminated in the approval of three distinct anti-PD-1 antibodies for AGC treatment: Nivolumab in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line option, or Nivolumab monotherapy for third- or later-line treatment in Asian countries; Pembrolizumab for previously treated microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or tumor mutational burden-high AGC, as well as Pembrolizumab combined with trastuzumab and chemotherapy for HER2-positive AGC in the United States; and Dostarlimab for previously treated MSI-H AGC in the United States.</p>2023-10-27T00:00:00+00:00Copyright (c) 2023