Detection of Fusobacterium nucleatum in feces and colorectal mucosa as a risk factor for colorectal cancer : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests a potentially important role of colorectal infection with Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) in colorectal carcinogenesis. We conducted a systematic review, including both a qualitative synthesis and a metaanalysis, to synthesize the evidence from the epidemiological literature on the association between F. nucleatum detection in the colon/rectum and CRC. Methods: A systematic literature search of Ovid MEDLINE(R), Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, EBM Reviews—Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and CINAHL Plus with Full Text was conducted using earliest inclusive dates up to 4 October 2020. Eligible studies were original, comparative observational studies that reported results on colorectal F. nucleatum detection and CRC. Two independent reviewers extracted the relevant information. Odds ratio (OR) estimates were pooled across studies using the random effects model. NewcastleOttawa scale was used to critically appraise study quality. Results: Twenty-four studies were included in the systematic review, of which 12 were included in the metaanalysis. Studies investigated F. nucleatum in feces, colorectal tissue samples, or both. In most studies included in the systematic review, the load of F. nucleatum was higher, on average, in specimens from CRC patients than in those from CRC-free controls. Meta-analysis showed a positive association between F. nucleatum detection in colorectal specimens and CRC (OR = 8.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 5.2 to 13.0). Conclusions: The results of this systematic review suggest that F. nucleatum in the colon/rectum is associated with CRC

A study of the efficacy of flashing lights to increase the salience of alcohol-gel dispensers for improving hand hygiene compliance

BackgroundMany interventions have been implemented to improve hand hygiene compliance, each with varying effects and monetary costs. Although some previous studies have addressed the issue of conspicuousness, we found only 1 study that considered improving hand hygiene by using flashing lights.MethodOur attention theory–based hypothesis tested whether a simple red light flashing at 2-3 Hz affixed to the alcohol gel dispensers, within the main hospital entrance, would increase hand hygiene compliance over the baseline rate. Baseline and intervention observations were completed over five 60-minute periods (Monday-Friday) from 7:30 to 8:30 AM using a covert observation method.ResultsBaseline hand hygiene compliance was 12.4%. Our intervention increased compliance to 23.5% during cold weather and 27.1% during warm weather. Overall, our pooled compliance rate increased to 25.3% (P < .0001).ConclusionsA simple, inexpensive flashing red light affixed to alcohol gel dispensers was sufficiently salient to approximately double overall hand hygiene compliance within the main hospital entrance. We hypothesize that our intervention drew attention to the dispensers, which then reminded employees and visitors alike to wash their hands. Compliance was worse during cold days, presumably related to more individuals wearing gloves

Age of Transfused Blood in Critically Ill Adults

International audienceBetween March 2009 and May 2014, at 64 centers in Canada and Europe, 1211 patients were assigned to receive fresh red cells (fresh-blood group) and 1219 patients were assigned to receive standard-issue red cells (standard-blood group). Red cells were stored a mean (±SD) of 6.1±4.9 days in the fresh-blood group as compared with 22.0±8.4 days in the standard-blood group (P<0.001). At 90 days, 448 patients (37.0%) in the fresh-blood group and 430 patients (35.3%) in the standard-blood group had died (absolute risk difference, 1.7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.1 to 5.5). In the survival analysis, the hazard ratio for death in the fresh-blood group, as compared with the standard-blood group, was 1.1 (95% CI, 0.9 to 1.2; P=0.38). There were no significant between-group differences in any of the secondary outcomes (major illnesses; duration of respiratory, hemodynamic, or renal support; length of stay in the hospital; and transfusion reactions) or in the subgroup analyses.CONCLUSIONS:Transfusion of fresh red cells, as compared with standard-issue red cells, did not decrease the 90-day mortality among critically ill adults

Characteristics and Associations of Pain Intensity in Patients Referred to a Specialist Cancer Pain Clinic

BACKGROUND: Uncontrolled cancer pain (CP) may impair quality of life. Given the multidimensional nature of CP, its poor control is often attributed to poor assessment and classification

Is a fusobacterium nucleatum infection in the colon a risk factor for colorectal cancer?: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Abstract Background Despite a considerable amount of epidemiological research for identification of risk factors involved in the development of colorectal cancer, the current understanding of the etiology of this disease remains rather poor. Accumulating evidence suggests a potentially important role of infection with Fusobacterium nucleatum in the colon in colorectal carcinogenesis. The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize the epidemiological evidence on the association between infection with Fusobacterium nucleatum in the colon and colorectal cancer. Methods This systematic review will include observational studies (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional) in humans in which the role of Fusobacterium nucleatum in the etiology of colorectal cancer was investigated. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews will be searched using a comprehensive search strategy and manual screening of references. Two reviewers will independently identify eligible studies and extract the data from the included studies. The quality of studies will be assessed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Random-effects models will be used to estimate pooled measures of association (where feasible). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses will be conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. The Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement will be followed for reporting. Discussion Deepening knowledge regarding the etiology of colorectal cancer and the potential implications of Fusobacterium nucleatum in this disease is instrumental for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this often-fatal disease. This review will produce summarized current evidence on this topic. Systematic review registration This systematic review protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 10 July 2018 (registration number CRD42018095866)

Effects of oxygen on exercise duration in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients before and after pulmonary rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: Supplemental oxygen therapy has been shown to improve exercise performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unknown whether the magnitude of this benefit would be affected by participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program