Inkk Trial - Intraoperative ketamine for perioperative pain management following total knee endoprosthetic replacement in oncology: a double-blinded randomized trial

Abstract Background There has been a growing interest in the use of ketamine following orthopedic surgeries. We hypothesized that low dose intravenous ketamine during surgery would help in mobilization following total knee replacement (TKR) in oncology patients as assessed by the timed to up and go (TUG) test at 72 hours post-surgery. Our secondary objectives were to compare the opioid requirement at the end of 72 hours, pain scores, satisfaction with pain management, adverse effects, range of joint movement achieved in the post-operative period and the functional recovery at the end of 1 month. Methods After the ethics commitee approval, registration of the trial with the Clinical Trial Registry - India (CTRI), and informed consent, this double-blinded trial was conducted. Using computer generated randomization chart, an independent team randomized the patients into ketamine group which received at induction, a ketamine bolus dose of 0.5 mg.kg-1 before the incision followed by 10 µg.kg-1min-1 infusion which was maintained intraoperatively till skin closure and the saline group received an equivalent volume of saline. Postoperatively, patient controlled morphine pumps were attached and the pain score with morphine usage were recorded for 72 hours. The TUG tests and range of motion were assessed by the physiotherapists until 72 hours. Results Fifty-two patients were enrolled in the trial. Demographics were comparable. No significant intraoperative hemodynamic changes and post-operative adverse events were noted between the groups. A decrease in the TUG test, along with decreased opioid usage with a better range of movements was noted in the ketamine group, but this was not statistically significant. Day of discharge, patient satisfaction score, and functional recovery assessed by Oxford Knee Score (OKS) were comparable between the groups. Conclusion In conclusion, low dose intraoperative ketamine infusion does not provide clinical benefit in perioperative pain management and postoperative rehabilitation following total knee endoprosthetic replacement in oncology.

Preservação de fertilidade: cultivo de folículos ovarianos e novo dispositivo para criopreservação seminal / Fertility preservation: ovarian follicle culture and a new device for seminal cryopreservation

INTRODUÇÃO: A oncofertilidade tem o desafio de buscar estratégias para preservar a função reprodutiva. Este estudo explorou duas possibilidades como implementação para as técnicas de preservação da fertilidade feminina e masculina. OBJETIVO: Analisar a eficiência do cultivo de folículos pré-antrais de camundongos suplementado com lisado de plaquetas humanas e desenvolver um protótipo para criopreservação de sêmen humano. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Os folículos pré-antrais foram isolados mecanicamente de ovários de fêmeas de camundongos e foram cultivados individualmente em sistema entre camadas de óleo mineral. Os folículos foram cultivados divididos em 4 grupos, sendo um controle, sem o uso do lisado de plaquetas e três grupos com diferentes concentrações de lisado de plaquetas humanas (PLTMax®). Foram avaliadas a sobrevivência celular, desenvolvimento folicular e características oocitárias. Para o segundo estudo foi desenvolvido e impresso em 3D com filamentos de acrilonitrilo butadieno-estireno (ABS) um protótipo que suporte 10 palhetas com amostras seminais no vapor de nitrogênio líquido (N2L), etapa essencial para criopreservação de sêmen humano. Para os testes foram utilizadas 40 amostras seminais. A temperatura ambiente e no interior das palhetas de envase das amostras foram medidas e estabelecida a curva de resfriamento. Os parâmetros de motilidade, vitalidade e fragmentação do DNA espermático foram avaliados antes do congelamento e após o descongelamento. Foram realizados dois testes, um de posicionamento das palhetas e outro comparativo entre o protótipo e um dispositivo com suporte em poliestireno expandido (EPS). RESULTADOS: O cultivo de 11 dias induziu um aumento no tamanho folicular em todas as condições, sendo maior no grupo controle, seguido do grupo com 10% de PLTMax®, mas com diferença significativa (p<0,001). O grupo controle apresentou maior número de oócitos intactos (>50%) em relação aos demais (<35%). Todos os 4 grupos apresentaram taxas de vitalidade celular acima de 70%. Quanto aos testes com o protótipo em ABS foi verificado que as curvas de refrigeração foram notavelmente reproduzíveis. O material do protótipo resistiu a inúmeros mergulhos (>300) no N2L, sem demonstrar danos ao material. Diferenças significativas (p<0,001) foram observadas para a taxa de recuperação média da motilidade e vitalidade espermática em relação aos dados da amostra 2 fresca em ambos os testes. A motilidade, a vitalidade e a fragmentação do DNA espermático antes do congelamento e após o descongelamento não mostraram diferenças em relação a posição das palhetas. Também não houve diferença quanto ao índice de fragmentação verificada das amostras criopreservadas com uso do protótipo em ABS e o suporte em EPS, mesmo após o cultivo, após 24 horas de cultivo. Contudo, houve diferença em relação a amostra fresca (p<00,1). Quanto a recuperação das taxas de motilidade e vitalidade não houve diferença entre o ABS e EPS após o descongelamento e 24 horas de cultivo. CONCLUSÃO: O PLTMax®, embora tenha apresentado menor desempenho que o HSA, é um candidato de suplementação para o cultivo de folículos pré-antrais que merece ser mais explorado. O protótipo em ABS demonstrou resistência, praticidade e segurança para criopreservação seminal de forma reprodutível e eficiente.

INTRODUCTION: Oncofertility has the challenge of seeking strategies to preserve reproductive function. This study explored two possibilities as implementations for female and male fertility preservation techniques. PURPOSE: To analyze the efficiency of mouse preantral follicle culture supplemented with human platelet lysate and to develop a prototype for human semen cryopreservation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preantral follicles were mechanically isolated from female mouse ovaries and were individually cultured using a mineral oil interlayer system. The follicles were cultured divided into 4 groups, one control, without the use of platelet lysate and three groups with different concentrations of human platelet lysate (PLTMax®). Cell survival, follicular development and oocyte characteristics were evaluated. For the second study, a prototype was developed and printed in 3D with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filaments to support 10 straws with seminal samples in liquid nitrogen (N2L) vapor, an essential step for human semen cryopreservation. For the tests 40 seminal samples were used. Ambient and internal temperatures inside the sample straws were measured and the cooling curve was established. The parameters of motility, vitality and sperm DNA fragmentation were evaluated before freezing and after thawing. Two tests were performed, one for positioning the straws and the other comparing the prototype and a device with expanded polystyrene (EPS) support. RESULTS: The 11-day culture induced an increase in follicular size in all conditions, being higher in the control group followed by the group with 10% PLTMax®, but with significant difference (p<0.001). The control group presented a higher number of intact oocytes (>50%) compared to the others (<35%). All 4 groups presented cell vitality rates above 70%. As for the ABS prototype tests, it was verified that the cooling curves were remarkably reproducible. The prototype withstood numerous dips (>300) in N2L without showing damage to the material. Significant differences (p<0.001) were observed for the mean recovery rate of sperm motility and vitality compared to the fresh sample data in both tests. Motility, vitality and sperm DNA fragmentation before freezing and after thawing showed no differences with respect to the position of the straws. There was also no difference in the fragmentation index verified for samples cryopreserved using the ABS prototype and the EPS support, even after 24 hours of culture. However, there was a difference compared to the fresh 4 sample (p<00.1). As for the recovery of motility and vitality rates there was no difference between ABS and EPS after thawing and 24 hours of culture. CONCLUSION: PLTMax®, although it showed lower performance than HSA, is a supplementation candidate for preantral follicle culture that deserves further exploration. The ABS prototype demonstrated strength, practicality and safety for seminal cryopreservation in a reproducible and efficient manner.

Fatores associados à visita à emergência ou hospitalização em cuidados paliativos oncológicos domiciliares: uma revisão integrativa / Factors associated with emergency room visit or hospitalization in care oncolagy home care: an integrative review / Factores asociados a la visita a urgencias o a la hospitalización en cuidado atención oncológica a domicilio: una revisión integradora

Objetivo: identificar os fatores associados à visita à emergência ou hospitalização dos pacientes oncológicos em cuidados paliativos domiciliares. Método: revisão integrativa nas bases PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science e Embase. Perguntou-se "quais os fatores associados à visita a serviços de emergência ou hospitalização de pacientes oncológicos em cuidados paliativos domiciliares?". Descritores foram neoplasias; cuidados paliativos; hospitalização; serviços médicos de emergência; serviços de assistência domiciliar. Critérios de elegibilidade foram texto na íntegra; entre 2012 e 2022; idioma inglês, português ou espanhol; idade adulta. Resultados:foram selecionados 16 artigos. As causas mais comuns de visita à emergência/hospitalização foram dor, falta de ar, infecção, sintomas digestivos, delirium e queda do estado geral/fadiga. Conclusão: este estudo identificou lacunas em que os cuidados paliativos domiciliares podem ser aprimorados.

Objective: to identify the factors associated with the emergency visit or hospitalization of cancer patients in palliative home care. Method: integrative review in PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science and Embase. The question was "what factors are associated with visiting emergency services or hospitalization of cancer patients in palliative home care?". Descriptors were neoplasms; palliative care; hospitalization; emergency medical services; home care services. Eligibility criteria were full text; between 2012 and 2022; English, Portuguese or Spanish language; adulthood. Results: 16 articles were selected. The most common causes of emergency room visits/hospitalization were pain, shortness of breath, infection, digestive symptoms, delirium, and poor general condition/fatigue. Conclusion: this study identified gaps in which palliative home care can be improved.

Objetivo: identificar los factores asociados a la visita a urgencias u hospitalización de pacientes oncológicos en cuidados paliativos domiciliarios. Método: revisión integrativa en PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science y Embase. La pregunta fue "¿qué factores se asocian con la visita a los servicios de emergencia o la hospitalización de pacientes oncológicos en cuidados paliativos domiciliarios?". Descriptores fueron neoplasias; Cuidados paliativos; hospitalización; servicios médicos de emergencia; servicios de atención domiciliaria. Los criterios de elegibilidad fueron texto completo; entre 2012 y 2022; idioma inglés, portugués o español; edad adulta. Resultados:se seleccionaron 16 artículos. Las causas más comunes de visitas a la sala de emergencias/hospitalización fueron dolor, dificultad para respirar, infección, síntomas digestivos, delirio y mal estado general/fatiga. Conclusión: este estudio identificó brechas en las que se pueden mejorar los cuidados paliativos domiciliários.

Terapia descongestiva como complemento a la cirugía de anastomosis linfáticovenosas y transferencia de linfonodos vascularizados: Una revisión de la literatura / Decongestive therapy as an adjunct to lymphatic-venous anastomosis surgery and vascularized lymph node transfer: A review of the literature

Resumen Introducción: El linfedema es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica que afecta cerca de 250 millones de personas en el mundo. El tratamiento tradicional es la terapia descongestiva. Últimamente, existe la opción de complementar el tratamiento tradicional con procedimientos quirúrgicos fisiológicos como anastomosis linfáticovenosas y transferencia de linfonodos vascularizados. Sin embargo, la evidencia del uso de la terapia descongestiva en los cuidados pre y posoperatorios en estas cirugías es limitada. Objetivo: Evaluar el uso de terapia descongestiva como complemento a la cirugía de linfedema mediante anastomosis linfáticovenosas y transferencia de linfonodos vascularizados. Materiales y Método: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura en las siguientes bases de datos: Cochrane, Pubmed y Google académico, utilizando los siguientes términos mesh: "anastomosis, surgical", "lymphedema", "perioperative care", "microsurgery", "rehabilitation", "therapy", "lymph nodes", "bypass", "lymphedema and microsurgery". Se incluyó aquellos artículos que describían el uso de la terapia descongestiva en los cuidados pre- y posoperatorios. Resultados: Se identificó un total de 201 artículos y 12 fueron incluidos en el análisis. La evidencia reporta que las terapias más usadas en el cuidado pre- y posoperatorio son compresión, drenaje linfático manual y tratamientos personalizados. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los autores hace una descripción vaga de las terapias mencionadas. Discusión y Conclusión: La evidencia respecto al uso de terapia descongestiva como tratamiento complementario es débil. Los expertos recomiendan su uso, sin embargo, se necesitan futuras investigaciones que describan el uso de cada uno de sus componentes como complemento de procedimientos quirúrgicos fisiológicos para el manejo del linfedema.

Background: Lymphedema is a disease that affects about 250 million people around the world. The traditional treatment is decongestive therapy. In the past years, there is the option to complementing the traditional treatment with physiological surgical procedures such as lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA) and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT). However, the evidence for the use of decongestive therapy in pre- and post-operative care in these surgeries is limited. Aim: To evaluate the use of decongestive therapy as a complement to lymphedema surgery such a lymphatic-venous anastomosis and transfer of vascularized lymph nodes. Materials and Method: A literature review was carried out in the following databases: Cochrane, Pubmed and Academic Google, using the following mesh terms: "anastomosis, surgical", "lymphedema", "perioperative care", "microsurgery", "rehabilitation", "therapy", "lymph nodes","bypass", "lymphedema and microsurgery". "Those articles that described the use of decongestive therapy in pre- and post-operative care were included. Results: 201 articles were identified and 12 were included in the analysis. The evidence reports that the most used therapies in pre- and post-operative care are compression, manual lymphatic drainage and personalized treatments. However, most of the authors give a vague description of the mentioned therapies. Discussion and Conclusion: The evidence regarding the use of decongestive therapy as a complementary treatment is weak. Experts recommend its use; however, future research is needed to describe the use of each of its components as a complement to physiological surgical procedures for the management of lymphedema.

Evaluación del estatus del tejido pulpar postratamiento oncológico / Assessment of the status of the pulp tissue post oncological treatment

La OMS cataloga al cáncer como uno de los principales problemas en el ámbito mundial, los pacientes sometidos a terapia oncológica son más vulnerables a desarrollar complicaciones en los tejidos de la cavidad bucal entre las que tenemos: mucositis, infecciones, osteorradionecrosis. En el manejo endodóntico hay que tomar en consideración que los trata- mientos como yodoterapia, radioterapia y quimioterapia pueden generar efectos sobre el complejo dentinopulpar. El objetivo de este artículo es determinar el estatus del tejido pulpar postratamiento oncológico mediante la revisión sistemática en bases de datos de gran relevancia científica, como PubMed, Scielo, Medigraphic, Science direct. Se concluye que el sistema estomatognático es un receptor importante de estos efectos y secuelas en pacientes con terapia oncológica, el tejido pulpar no está libre de estas secuelas ya que genera daño celular, como la hipovascularidad, hipocelularidad e hipoxia la cual incrementa el riesgo de necrosis de la región (AU)

The WHO lists cancer as one of the main problems worldwide, patients undergoing oncological therapy are more vulnerable to developing complications in the tissues of the oral cavity among which we have: mucositis, infections, osteoradionecrosis. In endodontic management, it should be taken into consideration that treatments such as iodine therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy can generate effects on the dentin-pulp complex. This article aims to determine the status of the pulp tissue after oncologic treatment. Through a systematic review in databases of great scientific relevance, such as PubMed, Scielo, Medigrafhic, Science direct. It is concluded that the stomatognathic system is an important receptor of these effects and sequelae in patients with oncological therapy, the pulp tissue is not free of these sequelae as it generates cellular damage because of the hypo vascularity, hypocellularity, and hypoxia which increases the risk of necrosis of the region (AU)

Factores de riesgo de bacteriemia en niños con cáncer y neutropenia febril / Risk factors for bacteremia in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia

La bacteriemia representa una importante causa de morbimortalidad en pacientes oncológicos. Durante el episodio de neutropenia inducida por quimioterapia, un 15%­25% de los pacientes tendrá bacteriemia. Objetivo: identificar factores de riesgo asociados con bacteriemia en pacientes oncológicos pediátricos con neutropenia y fiebre. Material y métodos: estudio de cohorte prospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes con enfermedades hematooncológicas y neutropenia febril, internados en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad entre julio de 2018 y mayo de 2019. Se excluyeron receptores de trasplante de médula ósea. Se compararon las características clínicas según se documentara bacteriemia (B) o no. Resultados: Se incluyeron 160 pacientes (p). Eran varones 93 (58%). La mediana de edad fue 81,5 meses (RIC 36-127,5). La enfermedad de base (EB) más frecuente fue: leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) 88 (55%). Se identificaron 20 (12,5%) pacientes con bacteriemia (B). En el análisis univariado hubo asociación entre B y LMA (p=0,003) y la internación en UCI (p=0,0001). En el modelo multivariado, ajustado por el resto de las variables, se identificaron la LMA (OR 8,24, IC95% 2,5-26,4; p<0,001) y la tiflitis (OR 5,86, IC95% 1,2-27,3; p=0,02) como factores relacionados con bacteriemia. Los principales microorganismos identificados fueron: estreptococos del grupo viridans 6 (30%), Escherichia coli 4 (20%) y estafilococos coagulasa negativos 3 (15%). Quince (75%) fueron bacteriemias secundarias a un foco clínico. El foco más frecuente fue el mucocutáneo (n=7, 35%). En esta cohorte de niños con cáncer y neutropenia febril, los factores asociados con bacteriemia fueron: la LMA, la tiflitis y la internación en UCI (AU)

Bacteremia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in oncology patients. During an episode of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, 15%-25% of patients will develop bacteremia. Objective: to identify risk factors associated with bacteremia in pediatric oncology patients with neutropenia and fever. Material and methods: prospective cohort study. Patients with hematology-oncology diseases and febrile neutropenia, admitted to a tertiary-care pediatric hospital between July 2018 and May 2019 were included. Bone marrow transplant recipients were excluded. Clinical characteristics were compared according to whether or not bacteremia was recorded. Results: 160 patients were included of whom 93 (58%) were male. Median age was 81.5 months (IQR 36-127.5). The most common underlying disease was acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 88 patients (55%). Twenty (12.5%) patients with bacteremia were identified. In univariate analysis, an association was found between bacteremia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (p=0.003) and ICU admission (p=0.0001). In the multivariate model, adjusted for the remaining variables, AML (OR 8.24; 95%CI 2.5-26.4; p<0.001) and typhlitis (OR 5.86; 95%CI 1.2-27.3; p=0.02) were identified as factors related to bacteremia. The main microorganisms identified were viridans group streptococci in 6 (30%), Escherichia coli in 4 (20%), and coagulase negative staphylococci in 3 (15%). In 15 cases (75%), bacteremia was secondary to a clinical focus. The most frequent focus was mucocutaneous (n=7, 35%). In this cohort of children with cancer and febrile neutropenia, the factors associated with bacteremia were AML, typhlitis, and ICU admission (AU)

Síndrome de vena cava superior: una serie de casos consecutivos en pacientes internados en un hospital terciario universitario / Superior vena cava syndrome: a consecutive case series of in-hospital patients in a tertiary teaching hospital

Introducción: el síndrome de vena cava superior resulta de la obstrucción del flujo sanguíneo a través de este vaso. Casi la totalidad de los casos en la actualidad se asocian con tumores malignos. Existen controversias acerca del manejo apropiado de este cuadro. Actualmente, las terapias endovasculares son consideradas de elección. Materiales y métodos: se recolectaron y describieron, a partir de datos de la historia clínica electrónica, los casos de pacientes mayores de 18 años internados ­de forma consecutiva, que desarrollaron el síndrome­ en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires en 2021. Se constataron las características basales, los tratamientos recibidos y los desenlaces clínicos intrahospitaliarios de cada uno de ellos. Resultados: un total de cinco pacientes fueron incluidos en el presente estudio y seguidos durante su instancia intrahospitalaria. Todos los casos descriptos fueron secundarios a enfermedades oncológicas. La mayoría de los pacientes presentaron un cuadro de moderada gravedad según las escalas utilizadas. En cuatro de cinco pacientes se optó por terapias endovasculares y dos de ellos fallecieron durante la internación. Discusión: existen controversias respecto del tratamiento óptimo del síndrome de vena cava superior, y heterogeneidad en la práctica clínica. Los estudios futuros deberían centrarse en identificar a aquellos pacientes que más probablemente se beneficien de las estrategias terapéuticas endovasculares, anticoagulantes o antiagregantes. (AU)

Introduction: superior vena cava syndrome results from an obstruction of blood flow through this vessel. Currently, almost all cases are associated with malignancies. There are controversies about the optimal management of this syndrome. Endovascular therapies are considered the first-line therapy. Material and methods: we collected clinical, laboratory and pharmacological data from patients admitted at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, between January 1st and November 1st 2021 with a diagnosis o superior vein cava syndrome. Baseline characteristics, treatment strategies and clinical outcomes were recorded. Results: a total of five patients were included in the present study. All cases were malignancy-related. Most of the patientsdeveloped moderate symptoms. Four out of five patients were treated with endovascular therapies and two patients died during hospitalization. Discussion: controversies regarding optimal management of the superior vena cava syndrome remain. Future research should focus on identifying those patients who are most likely to benefit from endovascular, anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapeutic strategies. (AU)

Riesgo de infección en pacientes oncológicos colonizados por bacterias productoras de p-lactamasas de espectro extendido y enterobacterias productoras de carbapenemasas / Risk of infection in cancer patients colonized by extended expectrum p-lactamases and carbapenem producing Enterobacteriaceae

INTRODUCCIÓN: La prevalencia de microorganismos multirresistentes es un problema de salud pública que continúa creciendo a lo largo del mundo. Existe una población principalmente susceptible de ser colonizada y posteriormente infectarse, son los pacientes oncológicos. OBJETIVO: Identificar las características clínicas y patológicas de los pacientes oncológicos y su relación con la infección con microorganismos productores de BLEE y EPC. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se condujo un estudio retrospectivo y de carácter analítico entre el primero de enero de 2019 y el 30 de junio de 2020 en tres unidades hemato-oncológicas. RESULTADOS: Incluyó a 3.315 pacientes, de los cuales 217 (6,5%) se encontraban colonizados por microorganismos productores de BLEE y EPC; de éstos, 106/217 (48,8%) presentaron al menos un episodio de infección. El microorganismo más frecuentemente aislado fue Klebsiella pneumoniae, en 29/106 (27,4%). De los infectados, 18/106 (17%) presentaron infección por el mismo microorganismo colonizador. La mucositis (p = 0,002), edad mayor a 65 años (p = 0,041), hipoalbuminemia (p < 0,01), neutropenia (p < 0,01) y la presencia dispositivos invasivos (p < 0,01) demostraron una relación con el desarrollo de infección. CONCLUSIÓN: La presencia de hipoalbuminemia (OR 3,3, IC 1,5-7,1, p < 0,01), dispositivos invasivos (OR 5,8, IC 3.0-11,4, p < 0,01) y neutropenia (OR 4,1, IC 1,5-11,4, p < 0,01) predicen el desarrollo de infecciones.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of multi-resistant microorganisms is a public health problem that continues to grow globally. There is a population that is mainly susceptible to being colonized and subsequently infected, and these are cancer patients. AIM: To identify the clinical and pathological characteristics of cancer patients and their relationship with infection with ESBL and CPE producing microorganisms. METHODS: A retrospective and analytical study was conducted between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020 in three hematooncological units. RESULTS: We included 3315 patients of which 217 (6.5%) were colonized by microorganisms producing ESBL and CPE. Of these, 106/217 (48.8%) had at least one episode of infection. The most frequently isolated microorganism was Klebsiella pneumoniae 29/106 (27.4%). Of those infected, 18/106 (17%) presented infection by the same colonizing microorganism. Mucositis (p = 0.002), age over 65 years (p = 0.041), hypoalbuminemia (p < 0.01), neutropenia (p < 0.01) and the presence of invasive devices (p < 0.01) demonstrated a relationship with development of infection. The presence of hypoalbuminemia (OR 3.3, CI 1.5-7.1, P < 0.01), invasive devices (OR 5.8, CI 3.0-11.4, p < 0.01) and neutropenia (OR 4.1, CI 1.5-11.4, p < 0.01) predict the development of infections.

Enterocolitis neutropénica en el paciente oncológico pediátrico / Neutropenic enterocolitis in the pediatric cancer patient

Resumen La enterocolitis neutropénica (ECN) es una enfermedad heterogénea de foco digestivo, pero afectación sistémica, que corresponde a una condición clínica grave que amenaza la vida de pacientes inmunocomprometidos, particularmente oncológicos pediátricos. De patogenia aún poco definida y aunque de causa multifactorial, la ECN se asocia a los efectos citotóxicos de la quimioterapia empleada y se caracteriza por la triada clásica que incluye fiebre, neutropenia y dolor abdominal, donde la principal injuria se localiza en la mucosa intestinal, provocando su alteración como barrera y facilitando la invasión bacteriana intramural. La ECN constituye un reto diagnóstico para el equipo tratante, que requiere ser oportuno y contar con apoyo de un óptimo laboratorio general e imagenológico, para iniciar un completo manejo multidisciplinario en unidades y centros de alta complejidad. Se presenta una revisión actualizada del tema incorporando aspectos epidemiológicos, factores de riesgo, elementos de apoyo diagnóstico, consideraciones terapéuticas y medidas de prevención a fin de aportar en el conocimiento de esta patología, y reducir morbimortalidad en estos pacientes.

Abstract Neutropenic enterocolitis (NEC) is a heterogeneous disease of the gastrointestinal tract with systemic response, that corresponds to a severe and life-threatening clinical condition in immunocompromised patients, especially in childhood cancer. The pathologic features are poorly understood, although its multifactorial cause of NEC is well established and it is associated with the cytotoxic effects of the chemotherapy agents used and recognized by the classic triad of fever, neutropenia, and abdominal pain, secondary to gastrointestinal injuries that alters mucosal permeability and helps intramural bacterial invasion. NEC is truly a clinical challenge that requires an early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach including basic laboratory and imagological tests in high complexity centers. We present a current review, adding epidemiological aspects, risks factors, diagnostic support elements, therapeutic considerations, and preventive measures in order to provide knowledge of this disease and help to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with it.

Etiology of ascites in 165 children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the etiology and clinical features of children with ascites, so as to provide a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of ascites in children.@*METHODS@#The medical data of the children with ascites, who were hospitalized from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019, were retrospectively reviewed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 165 children with ascites, the male/female ratio was 1.53:1, and the mean age of onset was (6±4) years. The causes of ascites included surgical acute abdomen (39 children, 23.6%), infectious diseases (39 children, 23.6%), neoplastic diseases (27 children, 16.4%), hepatogenic diseases (18 children, 10.9%), pancreatitis (10 children, 6.1%), cardiogenic diseases (8 children, 4.8%), rheumatic immune diseases (6 children, 3.6%), and nephrogenic diseases (5 children, 3.0%). According to the age of onset, there were 33 infants, 24 young children, 30 preschool children, 41 school-aged children, and 37 adolescents. Surgical acute abdomen and hepatogenic diseases were the main causes of ascites in infants (P<0.05). Neoplastic disease was the leading cause in young children (P<0.05). Infectious diseases were the most common cause in adolescents (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Surgical acute abdomen, infectious diseases, neoplastic diseases, and hepatogenic diseases are the common causes of ascites in children, and there are some differences in the leading cause of ascites between different age groups.

Etiology and clinical characteristics of fever of unknown origin in 357 pediatric patients / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To explore the etiologies and clinical characteristics of fever of unknown origin (FUO) and to provide clues for early diagnosis of FUO. Methods: The data about etiology, age, sex, clinical course, length of hospital stays and the expression levels of inflammatory factors in fever phase of 357 pediatric inpatients who were diagnosed with FUO in Children's Hospital of Fudan University from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Participants were grouped into infectious disease, inflammatory disease, malignancy and others and according to the classification of diseases and also grouped into those aged<1 year, 1-<3 years,3-<6 years, 6-<12 years and 12-<18 years. Comparisons between groups were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test and χ² test. Results: Among the 357 patients (217 males and 140 females). The age of onset was 3.9 (1.3, 9.2) years and visiting age was 5.1 (2.0, 9.3) years. The time-consuming of diagnosis was 94 (66, 213) days. The hospital stay was 8 (6, 14) days. The most frequently identified cause of FUO was infectious diseases (163 cases, 45.7%), followed by non-infectious inflammatory diseases (133 cases, 37.2%), malignancy (21 cases, 5.9%) and others (40 cases, 11.2%). The patients at younger age were more likely to be attacked by malignancy, oncologic diagnoses, and others, nevertheless patients at older age were more likely to be attacked by non-infectious inflammatory diseases oppositely (9.8 (3.6, 11.5) vs. 3.0 (1.2, 7.0), 2.3 (1.0, 5.2), 0.9 (0.5, 1.8) years, U=41.30, 15.94, 37.08, all P<0.01);106 (65%) patients were male, and 57 (35%) patients were female. This result indicated that boys were more susceptible to infectious diseases (χ²=14.73, P<0.01). Analysis of inflammatory factors in serum among 103 patients, interleukin (IL)-6 level in 40 infectious diseases patients (9 (2, 38) ng/L) was significantly lower than those of 6 tumor patients (89 (64, 599) ng/L) and 57 non-infectious inflammatory diseases patients (25 (8, 78) ng/L, U=51.05, 15.70, both P<0.05), no significant difference was observed in IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor α and interferon among the groups (all P>0.05). The patients grouped into those aged 1-<3 years and 3-<6 years were more likely to be attacked by infectious diseases (51.3% (59/115) and 57.1% (40/70)), while patients grouped into those aged 6-<12 years and 12-<18 years were more likely to be attacked by non-infectious inflammatory diseases (55.6% (65/117) and 72.4% (21/29)). Conclusions: Infectious disease is still the main cause of FUO in children and the boys are more susceptible to infectious diseases. However, the morbidity of non-infectious inflammatory diseases increases to number 1 in FUO of children over 6 years of age.

Research Progress of Pharmacological Therapy and Nutritional Support for Cachexia in Lung Cancer Patients / 中国肺癌杂志

Cachexia is a common complication in patients with lung cancer. It aggravates the toxic and side effects of chemotherapy, hinders the treatment plan, weakens the responsiveness of chemotherapy, reduces the quality of life, increases complications and mortality, and seriously endangers the physical and mental health of patients with lung cancer. The causes and pathogenesis of tumor cachexia are extremely complex, which makes its treatment difficult and complex. Controlling cachexia in lung cancer patients requires many means such as anti-tumor therapy, inhibition of inflammatory response, nutritional support, physical exercise, and relief of symptoms to exert the synergistic effect of multimodal therapy against multiple mechanisms of tumor cachexia. To date, there has been a consensus within the discipline that no single therapy can control the development of cachexia. Some therapies have made some progress, but they need to be implemented in combination with multimodal therapy after fully assessing the individual characteristics of lung cancer patients. This article reviews the application of drug therapy and nutritional support in lung cancer patients, and looks forward to the research direction of cachexia control in lung cancer patients.
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Prevention from PICC-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs of malignant tumor patients with moxibustion combined with plucking at Jiquan (HT 1): a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of moxibustion combined with plucking technique at Jiquan (HT 1) for preventing peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs of malignant tumor patients.@*METHODS@#A total of 80 malignant tumor patients undergoing PICC were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine care for PICC was exerted. In the observation group, besides the routine care, moxibustion combined with plucking technique at Jiquan (HT 1) was added. Mild moxibustion was exerted along the venous distribution of PICC (avoiding the entry site) for 10 to 15 min, and then, the circling moxibustion was applied to Quchi (LI 11), Xuehai (SP 10) and Tianfu (LU 3), 3 to 5 min at each acupoint. Finally, plucking technique was given at Jiquan (HT 1) for 5 to 10 min. This combined therapy was intervened since the 2nd day of PICC placement, once daily, 5 times a week, for 3 weeks totally. The incidence of the PICC-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs was compared between the two groups on day 42 of placement. On day 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 of PICC placement, the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and the end-diastolic velocity (EDV) of the subclavicular vein on the placement side were observed separately in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The incidence of the PICC-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (2.5% [1/40] vs 17.5% [7/40], P<0.05). From day 7 to 35 of PICC placement, PSV of the subclavicular vein on the placement side was higher than that on the day 2 of PICC placement in the observation group (P<0.05). On day 28 and 42 of PICC placement, PSV of the subclavicular vein on the placement side was lower than that on the day 2 of PICC placement in the control group (P<0.05). In the observation group, EDV of the subclavicular vein on the placement side was higher than that on the day 2 of PICC placement from day 7 to 28 of PICC placement (P<0.05). In the control group, EDV of the subclavicular vein on the placement side from day 28 to 42 of PICC placement was lower than that on the day 2 of PICC placement (P<0.05). From day 7 to 42 of PICC placement, PSV and EDV of the subclavicular vein on the placement side in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The combined treatment of moxibustion with plucking technique at Jiquan (HT 1) can effectively prevent PICC-related venous thrombosis in the upper limbs and improve venous blood flow velocity in malignant tumor patients.

Exploration of phase angle used to construct PG-SGA nutritional assessment and prediction model for malignant tumor patients / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To explore the value of phase angle (PA) in constructing a predictive model of nutrition evaluation for tumor patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 1 129 patients with malignant tumors hospitalized in the Cancer Center of Changzhi People's Hospital from June 2020 to February 2021. PA values of six parts of the body were measured by the body composition analyzer, including: left arm (LA), right arm (RA), left leg (LL), right leg (RL), the trunk (TR), and the whole body (WB). Patients' body mass index (BMI) was calculated and patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) was assessed. The differences of PA values of six parts were compared and their correlations with BMI and PG-SGA in combination with age, gender and tumor disease types were analyzed, binary classification regression on BMI and PG-SGA was performed, and the functions of the best prediction model was fitted. Decision tree, random forest, Akaike information criterion in a Stepwise Algorithm (stepAIC) and generalized likelihood ratio test were used to select appropriate variables, and the logit logistic regression model was used to fit the data. Results: Comparing the PA values of six parts in pairs, it was found that the PA values of LA and RA, LL and RL, and TR and WB were linearly correlated and the coefficient was close to 1 (P<0.001). Binary classification regression was performed for BMI and PG-SGA, respectively. In order to make the data have clinical significance, 18.5 kg/m(2) was used as the classification point for BMI, 4 and 9 were used as the classification points for PG-SGA score, and the models of A, B and C were obtained. Suitable variables including PA-LA, PA-TR and tumor disease types were used as variables to fit BMI classification; BMI, PA-LA and age were used as variables to fit the PG-SGA model with 9 as the classification point. PA-LA, PA-TR, BMI, age and tumor disease types were used as variables to fit the PG-SGA model with 4 as the classification point. In this study, the predicted values of models A, B and C obtained by R-studio were imported into SPSS 26.0 software, and the cut-off values of classification were obtained by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The ROC analytic results showed that the best cut-off values of Model A, B and C were 0.155, 0.793 and 0.295. Model A recommended when the probability is >0.155, a patient's nutritiond tatus should be classified as BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2) group. Model B recommended that PG-SGA<9 group be classified as the probability is >0.793. Model C recommended that PG-SGA < 4 group should be classified when probability is >0.295. Conclusions: The PG-SGA classification prediction model is simple to operate, and the nutritional status of patients can be roughly divided into three groups: normal or suspected malnutrition group (PG-SGA<4), moderate malnutrition group (4≤PG-SGA<9), and severe malnutrition group (PG-SGA≥9). This model can more efficiently predict the nutritional status of cancer patients, greatly simplify the nutritional assessment process, and better guide the standardized treatment of clinical malnutrition.