A qualitative study of the development of a multidisciplinary case conference review methodology to reduce involved margins in pelvic exenteration surgery for recurrent rectal cancer

Aim Pelvic exenteration surgery remains the only curative option for recurrent rectal cancer. Microscopically involved surgical margins (R1) are associated with a higher risk of local recurrence and decreased survival. Our study aimed to develop a post hoc multidisciplinary case conference review and investigate its potential for identifying areas for improvement. Method Results Patients who underwent pelvic exenteration surgery for recurrent rectal cancer with R1 resections at a tertiary referral centre between April 2014 and January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Patients with non-rectal cancers or who underwent palliative surgery were excluded. Cases, imaging and histopathology were evaluated by a dedicated panel including colorectal surgeons, an abdominal radiologist and a gastrointestinal pathologist. R1 resections were reported in 32 of 110 pelvic exenterations. Patients with other tumours were excluded and one patient had a palliative resection. Nine male patients with 11 exenterations were included with a median age of 56 years. All patients had positive soft tissue margins, and one patient also had an involved bony margin. Failures were due to (interdisciplinary) communication problems, specific management of tumour biology (multifocality, spiculated tumours), which can lead to radiological undercalling, and inadequate surgical technical planning. In hindsight, surgery would have been withheld from one patient. Conclusion A retrospective multidisciplinary case evaluation of pelvic exenteration patients with involved surgical margins led to a list of recommendations which included the need to plan for wider surgical soft tissue resections and improvement in interdisciplinary communication. Lessons learned may increase clear margin rates in future resections

Intramyocardial Bone Marrow Cell Injection: Clinical and Functional Effects in Ischemic Heart Disease

Coronary artery disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the western world. Despite successive revascularization procedures, a large number of patients ends up with end-stage coronary artery disease, not amenable for conventional revascularization. These patients often have stress-inducible myocardial ischemia, resulting in disabling complaints of angina, refractory to medical treatment. Intramyocardial bone marrow cell injection is currently under investigation as a new therapeutic option for these patients. This treatment aims to improve myocardial perfusion and contractile function (and decrease anginal complaints) through administration of bone marrow cells into ischemic myocardium. In the current thesis, the use of intramyocardial bone marrow cell injection for the treatment of chronic myocardial ischemia is evaluated several studies. First, the results of a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blinded trial are described, demonstrating that bone marrow cell injection is associated with a reduction in angina complaints, improved myocardial perfusion and increased left ventricular function. Furthermore, the effects of intramyocardial bone marrow cell injection were further explored by evaluating changes in diastolic function, cardiac innervation, and left ventricular synchronicity. In addition, the long term effects of bone marrow cell injection are described.Financial support by Abbott Vascular, Chipsoft BV, Orbus International BV, Medis medical Imaging systems BV and Biosense Webster Inc. (a Johnson and Johnson Medical Company) for the publication of this thesis is gratefully acknowledgedUBL - phd migration 201

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Treatment for Ischemic Heart Disease in Patients with No Option of Revascularization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PMCID: PMC3686792This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Resistance Training and Bone Mineral Density During Growth

This study examined the efficacy of two different resistance training programs in enhancing bone modeling and bone mineral density (BMD) in maturating rats. One exercise mode involved lifting a lighter weight with more repetitions (LI), while the other regimen involved lifting a heavier weight with fewer repetitions (HI) where the total volume of work between exercise programs was equivalent by design. Twenty-three male rats were randomly divided into control (Con, n = 8), LI (n = 7), and HI (n = 8) groups. The LI and HI groups were conditioned to climb a vertical ladder with weights appended to their tail 4 days/wk for 6 wks. After training, serum osteocalcin (OC) was significantly (p \u3c 0.05) higher in both HI (45.2 +/- 1.7 ng/ml) and Ll (39.1 +/- 2.2 ng/ml) when compared to Con (29.9 +/- 0.9 ng/ml). Left tibial BMD was significantly (p \u3c 0.05) greater for HI (0.231 +/- 0.004 g/cm(2)) when compared to both LI (0.213 +/- 0.003 g/cm(2)) and Con (0.206 +/- 0.005 g/cm(2)) with no significant difference between Ll and Con. The results indicate that both HI and LI are effective in elevating serum OC, implicating an osteogenic response; however, only HI resulted in a significant elevation in BMD

Evapotranspiration of an abandoned grassland in the Italian Alps: Modeling the impact of shrub encroachment

This study analyzes the effect of shrub encroachment on actual evapotranspiration (ETa), a still poorly studied phenomenon in the Alps. The effect of shrub encroachment is investigated on an Alpine grassland in Western Italy using both data and a soil hydrological model (Hydrus 1D), which is used to model three different land covers: grassland, shrubland, and a mixture of the two land covers with a novel double vegetation approach recently introduced. Four growing seasons of eddy covariance measurements are used as an approximate reference for the interpretation and consistency of the model outputs. Also, the impact of meteorological inter-annual variability and of different environmental conditions on both modeled and measured evapotranspiration is analyzed. The modeling results show that the model is able to capture the inter-annual variability of ETa. The double vegetation approach suggests that the percentage of total transpiration flux assigned to the shrubland is between 20 and 60 %. Single-vegetation simulations show that shrubs lead to an enhancement of ETa equal to + 27.1 %, +26.0 %, +26.8 %, and + 23.9 % (range 2014–2017) compared to grassland, which could lead to an alteration of the hydrological cycle. Moreover, chambers measurements of shrubs transpiration show a good agreement with the eddy covariance measurement, suggesting that the ecosystem's behavior is already close to a shrubland, which yields an increased ETa if compared to grassland. The evaporative index from the modeled shrubland is higher (range +24–27 %) than the case of a modeled grassland. Finally, ETa and the evaporative fraction (EF) are in the energy-limited regime in most cases. This result was obtained from the analysis of the relationship between ETa (and EF) and either meteorological variables or soil water content including the simulated one in the 0–100 cm horizon. The following analysis, more focused on micrometeorological variables, namely vapor pressure deficit, net radiation, wind speed, air temperature, and ground heat flux, indicates that ETa is mostly affected by the vapor pressure deficit

Higher Midazolam Clearance in Obese Adolescents Compared with Morbidly Obese Adults

Background The clearance of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A substrates is reported to be reduced with lower age, inflammation and obesity. As it is unknown what the overall influence is of these factors in the case of obese adolescents vs. morbidly obese adults, we studied covariates influencing the clearance of the CYP3A substrate midazolam in a combined analysis of data from obese adolescents and morbidly obese adults. Methods Data from 19 obese adolescents [102.7 kg (62–149.5 kg)] and 20 morbidly obese adults [144 kg (112–186 kg)] receiving intravenous midazolam were analysed, using population pharmacokinetic modelling (NONMEM 7.2). In the covariate analysis, the influence of study group, age, total body weight (TBW), developmental weight (WTfor age and length) and excess body weight (WTexcess = TBW − WTfor age and length) was evaluated. Results The population mean midazolam clearance was significantly higher in obese adolescents than in morbidly obese adults [0.71 (7%) vs. 0.44 (11%) L/min; p < 0.01]. Moreover, clearance in obese adolescents increased with TBW (p < 0.01), which seemed mainly explained by WTexcess, and for which a so-called ‘excess weight’ model scaling WTfor age and length to the power of 0.75 and a separate function for WTexcess was proposed. Discussion We hypothesise that higher midazolam clearance in obese adolescents is explained by less obesity-induced suppression of CYP3A activity, while the increase with WTexcess is explained by increased liver blood flow. The approach characterising the influence of obesity in the paediatric population we propose here may be of value for use in future studies in obese adolescents

Morbidly Obese Patients Exhibit Increased CYP2E1-Mediated Oxidation of Acetaminophen

Introduction: Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is mainly metabolized via glucuronidation and sulphation, while the minor pathway through cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1 is held responsible for hepatotoxicity. In obese patients, CYP2E1 activity is reported to be induced, thereby potentially worsening the safety profile of acetaminophen. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen and its metabolites (glucuronide, sulphate, cysteine and mercapturate) in morbidly obese and non-obese patients. Methods: Twenty morbidly obese patients (with a median total body weight [TBW] of 140.1 kg [range 106–193.1 kg] and body mass index [BMI] of 45.1 kg/m2 [40–55.2 kg/m2]) and eight non-obese patients (with a TBW of 69.4 kg [53.4–91.7] and BMI of 21.8 kg/m2 [19.4–27.4]) received 2 g of intravenous acetaminophen. Fifteen blood samples were collected per patient. Population pharmacokinetic modelling was performed using NONMEM. Results: In morbidly obese patients, the median area under the plasma concentration–time curve from 0 to 8 h (AUC0–8h) of acetaminophen was significantly smaller (P = 0.009), while the AUC0–8h ratios of the glucuronide, sulphate and cysteine metabolites to acetaminophen were significantly higher (P = 0.043, 0.004 and 0.010, respectively). In the model, acetaminophen CYP2E1-mediated clearance (cysteine and mercapturate) increased with lean body weight [LBW] (population mean [relative standard error] 0.0185 L/min [15 %], P < 0.01). Moreover, accelerated formation of the cysteine and mercapturate metabolites was found with increasing LBW (P < 0.001). Glucuronidation clearance (0.219 L/min [5 %]) and sulphation clearance (0.0646 L/min [6 %]) also increased with LBW (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Obesity leads to lower acetaminophen concentrations and earlier and higher peak concentrations of acetaminophen cysteine and mercapturate. While a higher dose may be anticipated to achieve adequate acetaminophen concentrations, the increased CYP2E1-mediated pathway may preclude this dose adjustment

Renal tubular damage and worsening renal function in chronic heart failure:Clinical determinants and relation to prognosis (Bio-SHiFT study)

Background It is uncertain that chronic heart failure (CHF) patients are susceptible to renal tubular damage with that of worsening renal function (WRF) preceding clinical outcomes. Hypothesis Changes in tubular damage biomarkers are stronger predictors of subsequent clinical events than changes in creatinine (Cr), and both have different clinical determinants. Methods During 2.2 years, we repeatedly simultaneously collected a median of 9 blood and 8 urine samples per patient in 263 CHF patients. We determined the slopes (rates of change) of the biomarker trajectories for plasma (Cr) and urinary tubular damage biomarkers N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), and kidney-injury-molecule (KIM)-1. The degree of tubular injury was ranked according to NAG and KIM-1 slopes: increase in neither, increase in either, or increase in both; WRF was defined as increasing Cr slope. The composite endpoint comprised HF-hospitalization, cardiac death, left ventricular assist device placement, and heart transplantation. Results Higher baseline NT-proBNP and lower eGFR predicted more severe tubular damage (adjusted odds ratio, adj. OR [95%CI, 95% confidence interval] per doubling NT-proBNP: 1.26 [1.07-1.49]; per 10 mL/min/1.73 m(2) eGFR decrease 1.16 [1.03-1.31]). Higher loop diuretic doses, lower aldosterone antagonist doses, and higher eGFR predicted WRF (furosemide per 40 mg increase: 1.32 [1.08-1.62]; spironolactone per 25 mg decrease: 1.76 [1.07-2.89]; per 10 mL/min/1.73 m(2) eGFR increase: 1.40 [1.20-1.63]). WRF and higher rank of tubular injury individually entailed higher risk of the composite endpoint (adjusted hazard ratios, adj. HR [95%CI]: WRF 1.9 [1.1-3.4], tubular 8.4 [2.6-27.9]; when combined risk was highest 15.0 [2.0-111.0]). Conclusion Slopes of tubular damage and WRF biomarkers had different clinical determinants. Both predicted clinical outcome, but this association was stronger for tubular injury. Prognostic effects of both appeared independent and additive

HFrEF subphenotypes based on 4210 repeatedly measured circulating proteins are driven by different biological mechanisms

BACKGROUND: HFrEF is a heterogenous condition with high mortality. We used serial assessments of 4210 circulating proteins to identify distinct novel protein-based HFrEF subphenotypes and to investigate underlying dynamic biological mechanisms. Herewith we aimed to gain pathophysiological insights and fuel opportunities for personalised treatment. METHODS: In 382 patients, we performed trimonthly blood sampling during a median follow-up of 2.1 [IQR:1.1–2.6] years. We selected all baseline samples and two samples closest to the primary endpoint (PEP; composite of cardiovascular mortality, HF hospitalization, LVAD implantation, and heart transplantation) or censoring, and applied an aptamer-based multiplex proteomic approach. Using unsupervised machine learning methods, we derived clusters from 4210 repeatedly measured proteomic biomarkers. Sets of proteins that drove cluster allocation were analysed via an enrichment analysis. Differences in clinical characteristics and PEP occurrence were evaluated. FINDINGS: We identified four subphenotypes with different protein profiles, prognosis and clinical characteristics, including age (median [IQR] for subphenotypes 1–4, respectively:70 [64, 76], 68 [60, 79], 57 [47, 65], 59 [56, 66]years), EF (30 [26, 36], 26 [20, 38], 26 [22, 32], 33 [28, 37]%), and chronic renal failure (45%, 65%, 36%, 37%). Subphenotype allocation was driven by subsets of proteins associated with various biological functions, such as oxidative stress, inflammation and extracellular matrix organisation. Clinical characteristics of the subphenotypes were aligned with these associations. Subphenotypes 2 and 3 had the worst prognosis compared to subphenotype 1 (adjHR (95%CI):3.43 (1.76–6.69), and 2.88 (1.37–6.03), respectively). INTERPRETATION: Four circulating-protein based subphenotypes are present in HFrEF, which are driven by varying combinations of protein subsets, and have different clinical characteristics and prognosis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01851538 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01851538. Funding: EU/ EFPIA IMI2JU BigData@Heart grant n° 116074, Jaap Schouten Foundation and Noordwest Academie