Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) was introduced as a novel technique to deal with rectal cancers. Its transanal approach offered the shortest distance to approach a challenging location, allowing an excellent visualization of the distal resection margin. Since its introduction in 2010, a significant amount of research has been put in to measure its development. In this review, we look at its ancestry, the genesis for its introduction and continued evolution as well as some of the important outcomes in its journey thus far. The importance of a structured and proctored learning journey is also stressed to enable the safe application and development of this technique. Beyond this, the TaTME movement has progressed relentlessly and its utility has been expanded to the management of benign conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, Hartman reversals, and anastomotic strictures. We believe that the continued development and adoption of TaTME worldwide is here to stay.

Objective : To investigate the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS ) and hypertension and its risk factors ,so as to provide basis for prevention and treatment of OSAHS accompanied by hypertension . Methods : A total of 108 OSAHS patients were enrolled and the general conditions were recorded . The blood pressure at 22 ∶ 00 before sleep and that at 8 ∶ 00 . next morning was determined routinely ,and the blood lipid level was detected . According to apnea hypoapnea index (AHI) ,the patients were divided into three groups ,the mild group (5/h ≤ AHI < 15/h) with 31 cases ,the moderate group (15/h ≤ AHI < 40/h) with 36 cases ,and the severe group (AHI ≥ 40 /h) with 41 cases . The levels of blood pressure were compared among the groups . According to whether OSAHS was accompanied by hypertension ,the patients were divided into simple OSAHS group and OSAHS accompanied by hypertension group . The relevant factors associated with OSAHS accompanied by hypertension were screened out by single factor analysis ,and then the multiple Logistic regression analysis was conducted .Results : (1)Among 108 patients with OSAHS ,60 cases(55 .6% ) were accompanied by hypertension ,including 15 cases of mild group(48 .4% ,15/31) ,19 cases of moderate group (52 .8% ,19/36) ,and 26 cases of severe group (63 .4% ,26/41 ) . There was no significant difference regarding the prevalence rate of hypertension among the three groups (P > 0 .05) .There were significant differences regarding systolic blood pressure(SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at 22 ∶ 00 and 8 ∶ 00 among the three groups (P < 0 .05) ;SBP and DBP at 22 ∶ 00 and 8 ∶ 00 in severe group were significantly higher than those in mild group (P< 0 .05) .SBP at 22 ∶ 00 and 8 ∶ 00 in severe group was significantly higher than that in moderate group (P< 0 .05) .(2) Single factor analysis showed that age ,body mass index (BMI) ,smoking rate ,abdominal circumference ,AHI ,total cholesterol(TC) ,triglyceride(TG ) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in OSAHS accompanied by hypertension group were significantly higher than those in simple OSAHS group ,while HDL-C was significantly lower than that in simple OSAHS group ( P < 0 .05 ) . (3 ) Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI ,AHI ,TC were the risk factors for OSAHS accompanied by hypertension .Conclusions :The level of blood pressure in patients with OSAHS was accordance with the disease severity ,while BMI ,AHI ,TC were the risk factors for OSAHS accompanied by hypertension .

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of serumal retinol-binding protein 4(RBP4) level fro fetal macrosomia of non-diabetic pregnant women .Methods :The serumal levels of RBP4 of 500 non-diabetic pregnant women at 12 week ,20 week and 24 week of pregnancy were measured by immune projection turbidimetric method .Fetal macrosomia was defined as birth weight≥4000 g .The cut-off value ,sensitivity and specificity were calculated with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve .Results:Of the 500 non-diabetic pregnant women ,30 cases(6% ) got fetal macrosomia .The ROC curve showed that the predictive cut-off values of RBP4 at 12 week ,20 week and 24 week of pregnancy were 61 .0 mg/L ,50 .5 mg/L and 52 .5 mg/L , respectively ;the predictive sensitivity and specificity at 12 week ,20 week and 24 week of pregnancy were 42 .9% and 94 .5% , 70 .0% and 69 .5% ,76 .9% and 73 .2% ,respectively .The predictive cut-off value of RBP4 no later than 24 week of pregnancy was 51 .5 mg/L ;the predictive sensitivity and specificity were 61 .8% and 69 .5% .There was significant difference(P<0 .05) between the serumal level of RBP4 at 24 week of pregnancy in group fetal macrosomia and that in group nonfetal macrosomia . Conclusions :The predictive sensitivity of RBP4 increases in accordance with the increase of serumal level of RBP 4 .The serumal level of RBP4 of non-diabetic pregnant women at 24 week of pregnancy may have higher sensitivity and specificity in the predic-tion of fetal macrosomia .If the serumal level of RBP4 no later than 24 week of pregnancy is beyond 50 mg/L ,then the risk of fetal macrosomia will be higher .

Background and objective: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) was first reported in Malaysia in March 2020. We describe here the clinical characteristics and computed tomography (CT) patterns in asymptomatic young patients who had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study where 25 male in-patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz. Demographics, clinical data and CT images of these patients were reviewed by 2 senior radiologists. Results: In total there were 25 patients (all males; mean age [±SD], 21.64±2.40 years; range, 18-27 years). Patients with abnormal chest CT showed a relatively low normal absolute lymphocytes count (median: 2.2 x 109/L) and absolute monocyte count (median: 0.5 x 109/L). Lactate dehydrogenase was elevated in 5 (20%) of the patients. The procalcitonin level was normal while elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, platelet and C-reactive protein were common. Baseline chest CT showed abnormalities in 6 patients. The distribution of the lesions were; upper lobe 3 (12%) lower lobe 3 (12%) with peripheral distribution 4 (16%). Of the 25 patients included, 4 (16%) had ground glass opacification (GGO), 1 (4%) had a small peripheral subpleural nodule, and 1 (4%) had a dense solitary granuloma. Four patients had typical CT features of COVID-19. Conclusion: We found that the CT imaging showed peripheral GGO in our patients. They remained clinically stable with no deterioration of their respiratory symptoms suggesting stability in lung involvement. We postulate that rapid changes in CT imaging may not be present in young, asymptomatic, non-smoking COVID-19 patients. Thus the use of CT thorax for early diagnosis may be reserved for patients in the older age groups, and not in younger patients.

Background: COVID-19 has the potential to affect the mental health of health care workers (HCWs). It is known that HCWs who serve as front-liners during the COVID-19 pandemic experience stress and have the fear of contracting the infection. Little is known of how being a positive contact affects HCWs. Objective: We examined the experience of HCWs who were quarantined following a close unprotected contact with a COVID-19 positive colleague and explore the psychological impact especially as the timing of the quarantine coincided with the Eid (annual Muslim festival) celebration in Malaysia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional on-line questionnaire study, involving HCWs exposed to a COVID-19 positive colleague in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, a teaching hospital. Data on demographics, levels of depression, anxiety and stress using a validated depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) questionnaire, aspects of quarantine, wearing of masks, hand hygiene practice and swab experience were collected. Results: Twenty-two HCWs participated. Eighteen (81.8%) were between 30-39 years and 17 (77.3%) were women. Majority 19 (86.3%) were Malays. There were twelve (54.5%) medical officers, 5 (22.7%) specialists and 5(22.7%) allied health staff. Eighteen out of 22 (81.8%) felt they were able to do home quarantine adequately. All tested negative with a mean (Standard Deviation) hour of contact of 2.56±2.38 hours. Eighteen reported their biggest concern was infecting their families. Conclusion: HCWs undergoing contact swabbing and quarantine are vulnerable to depression, anxiety and stress. The ability of the HCW to adequately home quarantine should not be taken for granted. Psychological support should be offered to HCWs who are positive contacts.

BACKGROUND: Current data is lacking about the progression of ascending aortic dilatation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in aortic stenosis (AS) patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). This study aims to assess the ascending aortic dilatation rate (mm/ year) after TAVR in patients with BAV versus TAV using a multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) follow-up and to determine the predictors of ascending aortic dilatation rate. METHODS: Severe AS patients undergoing TAVR from March 2013 to March 2018 at our center with MDCT follow-ups were included. BAV and TAV were identified using baseline MDCT. Baseline and follow-up MDCT images were analyzed, and the diameters of ascending aorta were measured. Study end point is ascending aortic dilatation rate (mm/year). Furthermore, factors predicting ascending aortic dilatation rate were also investigated. RESULTS: Two hundred and eight patients were included, comprised of 86 BAV and 122 TAV patients. Five, 4, 3, 2, and 1-year MDCT follow-ups were achieved in 7, 9, 30, 46, and 116 patients. The ascending aortic diameter was significantly increased after TAVR in both BAV group (43.7±4.4 mm vs. 44.0±4.5 mm; P<0.001) and TAV group (39.1±4.8 mm vs. 39.7±5.1 mm; P<0.001). However, no difference of ascending aortic dilatation rate was found between BAV and TAV group (0.2±0.8 mm/year vs. 0.3±0.8 mm/year, P=0.592). Multivariate linear regression revealed paravalvular leakage (PVL) grade was independently associated with ascending aortic dilatation rate in the whole population and BAV group, but not TAV group. No aortic events occurred during follow-ups. CONCLUSION Ascending aortic size continues to grow after TAVR in BAV patients, but the dilatation rate is mild and comparable to that of TAV patients. PVL grade is associated with ascending aortic dilatation rate in BAV patients post-TAVR.