Influence of neutropenia on mortality of critically ill cancer patients : results of a meta-analysis on individual data

Background: The study objective was to assess the influence of neutropenia on outcome of critically ill cancer patients by meta-analysis of individual data. Secondary objectives were to assess the influence of neutropenia on outcome of critically ill patients in prespecified subgroups (according to underlying tumor, period of admission, need for mechanical ventilation and use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)). Methods: Data sources were PubMed and the Cochrane database. Study selection included articles focusing on critically ill cancer patients published in English and studies in humans from May 2005 to May 2015. For study selection, the study eligibility was assessed by two investigators. Individual data from selected studies were obtained from corresponding authors. Results: Overall, 114 studies were identified and authors of 30 studies (26.3% of selected studies) agreed to participate in this study. Of the 7515 included patients, three were excluded due to a missing major variable (neutropenia or mortality) leading to analysis of 7512 patients, including 1702 neutropenic patients (22.6%). After adjustment for confounders, and taking study effect into account, neutropenia was independently associated with mortality (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.23-1.62; P = 0.03). When analyzed separately, neither admission period, underlying malignancy nor need for mechanical ventilation modified the prognostic influence of neutropenia on outcome. However, among patients for whom data on G-CSF administration were available (n = 1949; 25.9%), neutropenia was no longer associated with outcome in patients receiving G-CSF (OR 1.03; 95% CI 0.70-1.51; P = 0.90). Conclusion: Among 7512 critically ill cancer patients included in this systematic review, neutropenia was independently associated with poor outcome despite a meaningful survival. Neutropenia was no longer significantly associated with outcome in patients treated by G-CSF, which may suggest a beneficial effect of G-CSF in neutropenic critically ill cancer patients

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome associated with COVID-19: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis.

RATIONALE: Whether COVID patients may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) compared with conventional invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of ECMO on 90-Day mortality vs IMV only Methods: Among 4,244 critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 included in a multicenter cohort study, we emulated a target trial comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs. no ECMO within 7 days of IMV in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FiO2 <80 or PaCO2 ≥60 mmHg). We controlled for confounding using a multivariable Cox model based on predefined variables. MAIN RESULTS: 1,235 patients met the full eligibility criteria for the emulated trial, among whom 164 patients initiated ECMO. The ECMO strategy had a higher survival probability at Day-7 from the onset of eligibility criteria (87% vs 83%, risk difference: 4%, 95% CI 0;9%) which decreased during follow-up (survival at Day-90: 63% vs 65%, risk difference: -2%, 95% CI -10;5%). However, ECMO was associated with higher survival when performed in high-volume ECMO centers or in regions where a specific ECMO network organization was set up to handle high demand, and when initiated within the first 4 days of MV and in profoundly hypoxemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In an emulated trial based on a nationwide COVID-19 cohort, we found differential survival over time of an ECMO compared with a no-ECMO strategy. However, ECMO was consistently associated with better outcomes when performed in high-volume centers and in regions with ECMO capacities specifically organized to handle high demand. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Biobased Anti-Adhesive Marine Coatings from Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Polysaccharides

Due to environmental regulations, antifouling marine coatings must be gradually replaced by biocide-free coatings. Marine organisms weakly adhere to fouling release coatings, presenting a low surface free energy and a high elasticity, so they can be readily removed by the sheer force of water. Currently, these materials are mainly composed of petrochemical polymers, such as silicone or fluoropolymers, with hydrophilic polymers as additives. However, following the ever-increasing environmental concerns, the research on new, alternative, eco-friendly coatings is oriented towards the use of biobased polymers from renewable resources. Two main families have been studied: polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and polysaccharides. PHAs are produced by bacteria in stressful conditions, while polysaccharides are extracted from plants, animals, or micro-organisms such as bacteria, in which case they are called exopolysaccharides (EPS). Since the use of these polymers is a non-toxic approach to controlling fouling colonization, this review provides an overview of these biobased polymers for their applications in new anti-adhesive marine coatings

Effects of uranium on reproductive function in rats exposed from fetal life to adulthood

Effects of uranium on reproductive function in rats exposed from fetal life to adulthood. 2. Journées du GdR 3606 Repr

Effects of uranium on reproductive function in rats exposed from fetal life to adulthood

Effects of uranium on reproductive function in rats exposed from fetal life to adulthood. 2. Journées du GdR 3606 Repr