pXRF on printed circuit boards: Methodology, applications, and challenges.

In order to develop methods to determine the chemical composition of Waste Printed Circuit Boards (WPCB), this study focused on the analysis of 10 metals (Cu, Fe, Sn, Zn, Pb, Ni, Sb, Cr, Mo and Pd) using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) compared to ICP-MS measurements after aqua regia digestion. Different experimental conditions were tested: 3 particle sizes (200 µm, 750 µm and 2 mm) and 3 sample preparations (tube, cup and loose powder). For each condition tested, 8-16 independent replicates were done. ICP measurements with the 200 µm sample, considered as the reference condition in this study, confirmed the homogeneity of the sample at this particle size and the robustness of the sampling protocol (RSD < 5% for all elements). For this particle size, pXRF has low data dispersion too (Cu, Fe, Sn, Zn, Pb, Sb and Cr showed RSD < 10%) and the use of loose powder seems to be a sufficient preparatory step. Moreover, the deviation of pXRF measurements with the 200 µm sample from the reference condition was acceptable (<20%) for Cu, Sn, Zn, Pb, Ni, Sb and Mo. For coarser samples, i.e. 750 µm and 2 mm, the homogeneity was much more doubtful, which needs to be offset by a larger number of repetitions. For these particles sizes, pXRF set to factory-installed mining mode did not produce accurate measurements but could provide a rapid non-intrusive approach for first-level screening to assess the relative difference of metal contents between WPCB samples.

[Emergency in oncologic patient's pathway]. / La consultation médicale en urgence dans le parcours du patient en oncologie.

BACKGROUND: Medical emergencies are defined at the medical level, whereas the use of emergency consultations is decided by the patient. Urgent oncology cares are specific due to clinical, therapeutic, technic and psychologic complexity. METHODS: This descriptive retrospective study about 142 consultations carried out at the unplanned medical unit, with an analyse of demographics, clinical characteristics, reason for medical appeal, deployed resources and oncological pathway for six months. RESULTS: Breast (48 %) and lung (21 %) cancer are the most common. 68 % of patients present with a disease at a non-curative stage and 83 % have received a cancer treatment within the previous two months. Pain is the main reason for consultation (19 ). 91 % of patients benefit from diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. At three month, half of patients use an emergency system again. At six months, the tumour progression rate is 54 %. The mortality rate is 33 % regardless of the risk of immediate aggravation. CONCLUSION: The use of emergency consultation mainly concerns patients in a palliative situation, sometimes announcing the change of the trajectory towards the advanced phase. The organization of the emergency care pathway should evolve to better consider the needs of this population, by formalizing longitudinal monitoring, collaboration with palliative care teams and coordination with care providers in the city.

Effect of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Physical Activity, Eating Behavior, Body Weight and Psychological Outcomes in a Post-Bariatric Cohort.

PURPOSE: Little is known about the consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns on physical activity (PA), eating behavior, and mental health in post-bariatric surgery (BS) patients. We aimed to analyze the relations between changes in PA during COVID-19 lockdowns and changes in body weight and a comprehensive set of lifestyle and psychological outcomes in patients who have undergone BS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In April-May 2020 (lockdown#1), we performed an online survey in a cohort of 937 adults who underwent BS and were followed-up at our university medical center for at least one year. We assessed changes in PA, eating behavior, body weight, fatigue, and depression (PHQ-9). In November-December 2020 (lockdown#2), we recorded body weight in 280 patients who had reported decreased PA during lockdown #1. RESULTS: During lockdown #1 (N = 420 patients included, 44% response rate), decreased PA was reported by 67% patients. Compared to those who reported increased or unchanged PA, patients with decreased PA were more likely to report a ≥ 5% weight gain (OR (95% CI): 3.15 (1.46-7.65), increased fatigue (2.08 (1.36-3.23)), a worsening of eating behavior (2.29 (1.47-3.58)), and moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (4.74 (2.14-11.76)). During lockdown #2 (N = 225 patients, 80% response rate), significant weight gain since before lockdown #1 was reported (+ 2.8 (95% CI: 1.7-3.8) kg, p < 0.001), with 36% patients reporting a ≥ 5% weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: PA may counteract detrimental effects of COVID-19 lockdown on post-BS weight trajectories and mental health outcomes. Follow-up measures are needed in this setting to assess the long-term impact of lockdown.

[COVID-19 and patients with cancer: Experiment of a French comprehensive cancer center]. / Première vague COVID-19 : expérience d'un centre de lutte contre le cancer.

The emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused profound upset in health systems around the world. As cancer patients seem to be at greater risk, the organization of oncological care had to be adapted. We first report the progress of the "first wave" of COVID-19 at the Institut Curie, a French comprehensive cancer center, by describing the measures implemented to limit the risk of transmission of COVID-19 while ensuring as much as possible the continuation of anticancer treatments. Then, we present the results of a prospective institutional database in which the characteristics and outcome of our patients with cancer and suffering from COVID-19 were collected. From March 13 to April 25, 2020, 141 patients followed at Institut Curie for cancer developed COVID-19, of which 26 (18%) died from it. The minimum incidence of COVID-19 in Institut Curie is estimated at 1.4% over this period. No risk factors for developing a severe form of COVID-19 related to cancer have been identified. Cancer patients do not appear to be at greater risk of developing COVID-19, nor of having a more severe form than the general population. With the current increase of COVID-19 cases, it seems essential to share the experience already acquired to minimize the impact of this crisis on the long-term outcome of patients followed for cancer.

COVID-19 and its Severity in Bariatric Surgery-Operated Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a major risk factor for severe forms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but little is known about the post-bariatric surgery (BS) setting. The prevalence of likely COVID-19 and its risk factors in patients followed up after BS was assessed. METHODS: A total of 738 patients who underwent BS and were followed up at a university medical center were surveyed. A retrospective comparison of characteristics at baseline, 1 year after BS, and at the time of lockdown was performed between patients with COVID-19-likely events (CL) based on a combination of reported symptoms and those for whom COVID-19 was unlikely. RESULTS: CL occurred in 62 (8.4%) patients, among whom 4 (6.4%) had a severe form requiring hospitalization and 1 (1.6%) died. The CL group had a higher proportion of persistent type 2 diabetes (T2D) at last follow-up (36.2% vs. 20.3%, P = 0.01). BMI at the time of lockdown was lower in the CL group (30.2 ± 5.1 vs. 32.8 ± 6.5 kg/m2 ; P < 0.01) with higher percent weight loss since BS in the CL group. Severe forms of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization were associated with persistent T2D at the last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: In BS patients, CL were associated with persistent T2D and lower BMI.

Characteristics and Outcome of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Concerns have emerged about the higher risk of fatal coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in cancer patients. In this article, we review the experience of a comprehensive cancer center. METHODS: A prospective registry was set up at Institut Curie at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. All cancer patients with suspected or proven COVID-19 were entered and actively followed for 28 days. RESULTS: Among 9842 patients treated at Institut Curie between March 13 and May 1, 2020, 141 (1.4%) were diagnosed with COVID-19, based on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing and/or computerized tomography scan. In line with our case mix, breast cancer (40.4%) was the most common tumor type, followed by hematological and lung malignancies. Patients with active cancer therapy or/and advanced cancer accounted for 87.9% and 68.9% of patients, respectively. At diagnosis, 78.7% of patients had COVID-19-related symptoms, with an extent of lung parenchyma involvement inferior to 50% in 95.8% of patients. Blood count variations and C-reactive protein elevation were the most common laboratory abnormalities. Antibiotics and antiviral agents were administered in 48.2% and 6.4% of patients, respectively. At the time of analysis, 26 patients (18.4%) have died from COVID-19, and 100 (70.9%) were cured. Independent prognostic factors at the time of COVID-19 diagnosis associated with death or intensive care unit admission were extent of COVID-19 pneumonia and decreased O2 saturation. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 incidence and presentation in cancer patients appear to be very similar to those in the general population. The outcome of COVID-19 is primarily driven by the initial severity of infection rather than patient or cancer characteristics.

Quantitative CT Extent of Lung Damage in COVID-19 Pneumonia Is an Independent Risk Factor for Inpatient Mortality in a Population of Cancer Patients: A Prospective Study.

Background: CT lung extent has emerged as a potential risk factor of COVID-19 pneumonia severity with mainly semiquantitative assessment, and outcome was not assessed in the specific oncology setting. The main goal was to evaluate the prognostic role of quantitative assessment of the extent of lung damage for early mortality of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in cancer patients. Methods: We prospectively included consecutive cancer patients with recent onset of COVID-19 pneumonia assessed by chest CT between March 15, 2020, and April 20, 2020, and followed until May 1, 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory test data and imaging findings were recorded. Quantitative chest CT assessment of COVID-19 pneumonia was based on the density distribution of lung lesions using a freely available software recently released (Myrian XP-Lung). The association between extent of lung damage and overall survival was studied by univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. The Uno C-index was used to assess the discriminatory value of the quantitative CT extent of lung damage. Results: Seventy cancer patients with chest CT evidence of COVID-19 were included. After a median follow-up of 25 days, 17 patients (24%) had died. The median quantitative chest CT extent of COVID-19 was 20% (IQR = 14-35, range = 3-59) for non-survivors vs. 10% (IQR = 6-15, range = 2-55) for survivors (p = 0.002). The extent of COVID-19 pneumonia was correlated with inpatient management (p = 0.003) and oxygen therapy requirements (p < 0.001). Independent factors associated with death were performance status (PS) ≥2 (HR = 3.9, 95% CI = [1.1-13.8] p = 0.04) and extent of COVID-19 pneumonia ≥30% (HR = 12.0, 95% CI = [2.2-64.4] p = 0.004). No differences were found regarding the histology of cancer, cancer stage, metastases sites, or type of oncologic treatment between the survivor and non-survivor groups. The cross-validated Uno C-index of the model including PS and extent of COVID-19 pneumonia was 0.83, 95% CI = [0.73-0.93]. Conclusions: The quantitative chest CT extent of COVID-19 pneumonia was a strong independent prognostic factor of early inpatient mortality in a population of cancer patients.

Prevalence and severity of malnutrition in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nutritional knowledge in patients with SARS-Cov2 infection (COVID-19) is limited. Our objectives were: i) to assess malnutrition in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, ii) to investigate the links between malnutrition and disease severity at admission, iii) to study the impact of malnutrition on clinical outcomes such as transfer to an intensive care unit (ICU) or death. METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized in a medicine ward at a university hospital were included from March 21st to April 24th 2020 (n = 114, 60.5% males, age: 59.9 ± 15.9 years). Nutritional status was defined using Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Clinical, radiological and biological characteristics of COVID-19 patients were compared according to the presence of malnutrition. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between nutritional parameters and unfavourable outcomes such as transfer to intensive care unit (ICU) or death. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 42.1% (moderate: 23.7%, severe: 18.4%). The prevalence of malnutrition reached 66.7% in patients admitted from ICU. No significant association was found between nutritional status and clinical signs of COVID-19. Lower albumin levels were associated with a higher risk of transfer to ICU (for 10 g/l of albumin, OR [95%CI]: 0.31 [0.1; 0.7]; p < 0.01) and this association was independent of age and CRP levels. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 in medical units dedicated to non-intensive care is associated with a high prevalence of malnutrition, especially for patients transferred from ICU. These data emphasize the importance of early nutritional screening in these patients to adapt management accordingly.